Bad news does happen. (Seems funny to talk about it on a positive news site.)
Yesterday, I received a devastating call from a friend, telling me about a mutual friend who was in serious trouble. It was very disturbing. In a week of what seemed like a “lot of that going around,” I was faced with my emotions. (And I also was in the middle of making dinner and expecting the family to walk through the door shortly.)
So what does one do when confronted with that? After 60 years, I may have got a handle on it.
I knew screaming and yelling would not be helpful. But I also had to process the anger and the sadness.
We all know life is not always easy. What comes at you may not be positive, uplifting or even fun. I can only tell you what works for me. Here are some tips I have figured out over the years and I hope they are helpful to you.
- Change the scenery-Take a walk, get up and let calmness take over. I found myself doing some quick research and then putting it aside for a day. Don’t sit still and let it overwhelm you.
- Take care of yourself-BREATHE, drink water, get some sleep or some light exercise. Know you may get tired and allow yourself to rest. Bad news can be challenging and tiring.
- This is not a good time for drinking, drugging or binge eating.
- Stay in the present. Hold on to now. Do not project or allow “conspiracies” to move you. Reevaluate the past.
- Utilize past successful strategies. Reach out to your support, get counseling if needed.
- Recognize there may be shock attached to the news. Last week, I received some really difficult news. I just had to go through it.
- Find a different perspective. Sometimes this is one of the most successful places to be/
- Ignore the half-truths as these help nothing.
- BE HAPPY! Yes, it will be a choice, but a good one.
Those are what I have learned over the years. I have often thought about “preparing” for those times.
- I learned about myself. How I respond (Or don’t respond.) is important. I have learned to take the walk or grab a power nap. I don’t dwell on “should have, could have” thinking.
- I spend time outside. Going out to the edge of the woods. Being in nature.
- Journal your situation out. I find writing helps me walk through things and gives me a new or refreshed perspective.
- A day away changes everything. Sometimes I will just get in the car or grab my motorcycle and find a lakeside.
- Finding a spiritual point in your life will help.
I hope these will prove helpful to you as you go through life and encounter difficult time.s
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