Staying motivated and well in tough times can be a challenge, but it’s achievable. Here are the strategies that have helped me.
Choose determination over desperation
Think about how you feel when you’re desperate compared with when you’re determined. Living in fear, anxiety and negativity can leave you feeling desperate and lead you into a downward spiral. Take stock of what you do have: food, shelter, clothing, and family, friends, workmates or community support networks you can lean on. Determination offers hope. Trust and embrace possibility, even in tough times. Be determined to take one small action every day towards making your life better. Be bold, brave and brilliant.
Go on a media fast
Don’t worry about being out of touch. If something happens that you need to know about, you’ll see the headlines or hear it from someone. If you have long-term investments, you don’t have to micromanage them. And if you want to know what the news is today, it’s probably much the same as yesterday: same fear, different story.
Uplift yourself
Listen to music or comedy, watch old movies, play games, take your shoes off and walk on the grass, sand or mud, play with your dog, or look at a picture of a rainforest or garden if you can’t be in one. There are a million ways to lift your spirits, so write a list of yours. Positive activities trigger the release of feel-good brain chemicals that bring feelings of happiness, contentment, excitement, joy and hope. Read positive and inspirational stories; success breeds success.
Appreciate everything
Learn to live in a state of gratitude, thankful for what you have: food, a shower, a life. Acknowledge the value within you and around you. When you’re fretting and fearful, stop and think of your best memories. Dwell on them for a while, remember the joy and gratitude you felt, and bring those feelings into the present moment. The more you practise gratitude, the happier you’ll become. Look at the glass as half full: if you focus only on what’s wrong, it won’t get better, so concentrate on finding solutions and being grateful for what you have.
Learn to live with less
Many of us blow our needs out of proportion; no matter how much we have, we always want more. If you spent as much time learning to live with less as trying to acquire more, and chose a simpler life, you’d likely feel more satisfied and centred. Give up smoking, drink only occasionally, grow your own veggies, share a ride, and write a list of ways to do things more easily, cheaply and simply. Then stick to it.
Forgive yourself
Forgive yourself for anything you could have done but didn’t. If you had known better, you would have done better. Let go of past mistakes; you’ve carried that ball and chain for too long. Take it off and you’ll feel lighter and happier.
This too shall pass
“The only certain thing about life is change.” My sister said that to me in a time of need, and it really helped. Nothing is permanent. Tough times can be a chance to grow; think of everything that was hard but made you stronger, more understanding and more flexible as a result.
Breathe and relax
When you catch yourself feeling fearful, worried or desperate, stop and take a slow, deep breath. Close your eyes, relax your muscles, and think of your favourite places, people and things. Practise living in the present and enjoying the moment you’re in now.
Look after the basics
- Play
- Walk
- Rest
- Eat mood-supporting foods
Seek help
You don’t have to do this alone, and you don’t need to try everything above first. If you feel stuck, overwhelmed or unable to cope, talk to your GP, who can refer you to a psychologist or counsellor. In Australia, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 any time. Doing something is the answer; doing nothing won’t change the situation.
I hope I have helped someone today.
