No one can predict or prepare for a crisis that’s likely to happen anytime soon. These unforeseen events can be traumatic enough to establish stress that makes us fitful.
These can be caused by sudden health conditions, natural disasters, or human tragedies that constitute severe anxiety on our part. Although we can’t avoid them, we can make decisions and actions to minimize the impacts.
Here are ways to handle a crisis and get through the negativity
Focus and be calm
Breathing helps you calm down and give yourself a moment to respond to the situation. Acting impulsively on the spot can be more detrimental to your well-being – especially when you don’t have a plan or any relevant info about the said matter that caused you to worry.
By slowing down and putting things into perspective, you get to remove personal or unwanted emotions to move forward. We’re not saying that you need to be totally relaxed, but, just focused enough to be alert and ready for any aftermath events.
Accept the situation
You can’t prevent the crisis from happening – you can only accept the fact that it’s happening right now to you. You also must recognize your limitations and that you can’t fix the problem. You’ll only grow frustrated with it, and it’ll further intensify negative emotions inside of you.
While it’s only natural to feel a host of conflicted feelings, you must acknowledge it. By accepting and acknowledging your emotions, you gain an understanding of yourself – which is considered as the first step in the healing process.
Get help
When things get hard, build a support network around you. Your family and friends can help alleviate your anxieties when you share the burden with them. However, turn only to the people who you really trust and respect.
Avoid gossipy friends or blabbermouths.
What’s great about your support network is that they’re not as emotionally invested in your situation – unless, they really care about you or with you during that crisis. But, these people see the scenario a little differently and can offer a fresh perspective and approach to your worries.
Love yourself
It is during these moments when you have to love yourself rather than wallow in self-pity. To minimize the tension, get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly to keep your body and mind functioning at its best. Take a break and don’t make hasty decisions when you’re stressed.
When you feel better, you can tackle the problem smarter and easier than before. Besides, if you can’t help yourself, how can you help other people around you – especially those who are experiencing the same emotional pain as you have?
Tips on tackling future predicaments
You can’t foresee a crisis, but you can prepare for one when it strikes. Also, it helps minimize the stress and trauma if you find yourself in it.
• Have a plan. Is your laptop becoming glitchy all of a sudden? Is the flood going inside your house now? Make it a habit of preparing what you’re going to do when things go wrong.
If your computer is going crazy, have you saved the file on
• Prepare for emergencies. Let’s say, your husband left you. Do you have anything, anywhere, or anyone to rely on to during this crisis? What about emergency kits when you go out camping or surviving a catastrophe? Have enough ink for your printer to make 3,000 copies of that report? Saved contact numbers of important agencies when something terrible happens?
• Remain flexible. When Plan A fails, remember to make Plan B, C, D, and so on. Say, you’ve divorced your husband and left to take care of three children on your own. Do you have enough money at the moment to survive on your own? Or do you know someone who can lend some allowance to you for a while?
• Communicate often. Don’t forget to update your loved ones on what’s happening to you. It’s crucial for them to know how well you’re holding up to the situation. You can give them a call, an SMS message, email, or post in social media.
Share essential summary statements and actions you’re planning to undertake.
• Keep a calendar. Keep a calendar and stick to the schedule. If something happens, like an emergency, write it down. That way you can assess later on and make changes to adapt to the situation.
Facing adversaries can be tough. Everyone deals with a crisis differently. Take heart. You’re not alone on this journey. Remember, there’s a rainbow after the rain.
