When you cope with adversity, what does that mean? It means that you effectively deal with a very difficult situation; it means you either work through, or work around problems in a way that keeps your life in balance. It also means you have developed tools and tactics that help you respond to the emotions that adversity stirs up.
What is adversity?
Adversity can be anything, can come up anytime, and touches everyone at some point in life. It can be a temporary thing like a natural disaster, dealing with a break-up or concerns about money, or something long lasting like a physical disability or poverty. Adversity can come from outside sources (for example, prejudice or bullying) or from within (such as struggling with depression or anxiety). Adversity can come from people you love (difficulties in your family after parents’ divorce) or from people you don’t know (someone breaks into your car or your laptop gets stolen).
How do you face adversity?
There are many ways to cope effectively with adversity. When you’re faced with a hard or unexpected situation, remind yourself that you have choices – you get to choose your attitude, you can ask for help, and you can often find alternatives. You don’t have to be stuck.
When you’re faced with adversity, it’s usually helpful to see the positive in your situation and to believe that things will work out. Whenever you face hard times, it’s always helpful and important to reach out to loved ones and people you trust – they can give you guidance, support and comfort – being connected to others makes you stronger.
Another good tactic is to stay away from situations and information that make you feel helpless – the “noise” and stress of the world can have a direct impact on your frame of mind. It’s usually helpful to stay busy and distract yourself with things that give you pleasure and keep your mind occupied. Of course, it is always very important and helpful to take care of yourself – good physical health has a positive effect on emotional health.
10 Ways Successful People Push Through Adversity
Hard times happen. Getting past them is a mental game you can win.
We all face adversity from time to time. Successful people have found a way to jump hurdles and navigate around roadblocks that would stop others completely.
They don’t allow themselves to become overwhelmed with negative emotions or thoughts. They take time to process what they’ve been through, then they resume moving forward. Their mental fortitude lifts them up to seek opportunities instead of dwelling in despair.
Here are 10 ways successful people push through adversity and bolster themselves, even when facing disaster.
Find your sense of humor.
They say laughter is the best medicine. It’s your body’s way of coping with stress, releasing tension and resetting your brain to think positively. Even if you are feeling really down, try and have a good laugh, you will release endorphins and dopamine, nature’s feel-good chemical.
Be mentally prepared.
“I am prepared for the worst, but hope for the best.” More than 185 years after these words were written by British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, they still inspire. Being prepared means thinking though the worst-case scenarios and considering how you would react.
Take stock of all you’ve been through already.
They say what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. The hardships and misfortunes you’ve been through, can give you confidence to handle whatever comes your way. You’ve been in tough times before. How did you overcome adversity that time? What got your through? Your past experiences can help you find your inner strength and resilience.
Adversity offers valuable insights.
Adversity is a great teacher. This is your chance to gain valuable insights; to truly learn from your mistakes so you’ll have a better chance of success next time. However, you will have to engage in some self-reflection. Where and how did things go wrong?
Make peace with the situation.
Now is not the time to blame others for what happened. Moping around and feeling sorry for yourself will do you no good, and can actually sabotage your ability to come up with solutions and the next steps forward. It’s important that you consider what mistakes or missteps you might have made.
Embrace adversity as a chance for opportunity.
Life is full of adversity and struggle. It’s through difficult times that we learn the most important lessons in life and how to build resilience. Adversity often presents opportunities we might otherwise miss. Now is your chance to dig deep and face this obstacle head on.
Refuse to give up.
To overcome a crisis, you need to fully commit to finding a way forward. You must approach the problem with determination and motivation. This will create a mindset where you look at adversity as something to be overcome and solved, not passively accepted. Sometimes dilemmas and obstacles are a chance to create alternative paths, to dream bigger, to push forward and take even bigger leaps.
Have a purpose.
When life gets tough, it helps to have a crystal-clear idea of why you’re doing what you’re doing. If you have purpose and passion for your goals, you’ll be motivated to keep pushing through until you’re successful. Sometimes things happen beyond your control, and that can knock the wind out of your sails. But if you’re working on something meaningful to you, you’ll always find a way back to it.
Keep a positive mindset.
A healthy dose of optimism goes a long way when you’re faced with a bad situation. It may seem cliché, but sometimes the darkest storm clouds really do have silver linings. Developing a positive mindset is an important coping skill when dealing with adversity.
Believe in your capabilities.
People who rebound from adversity begin by believing they are capable of finding a way forward. If you feel hopeless and powerless, it’s unlikely you’ll find a way to be successful.
You have to have self-confidence and a strong belief in your capabilities to overcome difficult times. You have to be open minded and willing to leverage your talent, know-how and ingenuity to overcome adversity. If you need more inspiration, consider the story of Walt Disney, who was fired from his first job for not being creative enough.
Disney never stopped believing in himself. He went on to found what is now the Walt Disney Company, a multinational mass media conglomerate. He once said, “All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”
If you are feeling discouraged, pessimistic about your future and battling to see the way forward, why not schedule a Holistic Reiki healing for some sound advice, some direction and a wonderfully relaxing healing session. https://www.reikijohannesburg.co.za/treatments/reiki-treatments/
