Navigating Life’s Toughest Moments: Insights from a Psychologist
Navigating Life’s Toughest Moments: Insights from a Psychologist
Stress can wreak havoc on your life and mental well-being, leading to a loss of control over your emotions and actions. Daria Sharipova, a psychologist at the Minsk City Clinical Center for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, shares valuable insights on how to help yourself during such challenging times.
Understanding Emotional Instability
Emotional instability can stem from various events. Here are some common scenarios:
After a High-Stress Event
Following a highly stressful event, inadequate psychological support can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Individuals may become hyper-vigilant, constantly expecting danger. Those who have experienced traumatic events often undergo significant changes, such as becoming inattentive, impulsive, scattered, or excessively worried. New character traits may also emerge.
Due to Chronic Stress
In today’s fast-paced world, the constant influx of information can overwhelm our mental capacity. Some information can be particularly traumatizing, such as news about the coronavirus, which can trigger a fear of death. Daily stressors can deplete our mental resources, leading to emotional instability.
Maintaining Emotional Stability Amid Stress
To maintain emotional stability, it’s crucial to find life anchors. Here are some key points to remember:
Embrace Uncertainty
Life is inherently uncertain, and the degree of uncertainty varies from person to person. Some may not know what tomorrow holds, while others struggle to plan months or years ahead. It’s essential to understand that complete control over life is an illusion. There will always be factors beyond our control, and unexpected events, both pleasant and unpleasant, can alter our plans at any moment.
Take Proactive Steps
- Identify Your Values: Your values serve as your life anchors. Understanding yourself better will help you navigate various situations with your interests at heart.
- Create Multiple Plans: Instead of relying on a single plan, develop several contingency plans. This approach can reduce anxiety.
- Define Your Influence Zone: Recognize the boundaries of what you can influence and focus your efforts there.
- Recall Past Coping Mechanisms: Reflect on what has helped you in the past during times of uncertainty. Each person has unique strategies that work best for them.
Daily Rituals and Support
During particularly stressful times, maintaining daily rituals that were part of your life during stable periods can help expand your individual stability. These rituals can include:
- Getting a full 8 hours of sleep
- Eating a healthy breakfast
- Taking a morning shower
- Engaging in regular exercise
- Maintaining a consistent diet
The key is to continue these routines as you did before. Additionally, the support of loved ones can make a significant difference. Knowing that you have someone to turn to, who can offer comfort and reassurance, can be incredibly empowering.
By applying these recommendations, navigating stressful events in the modern world can become more manageable.
For further reading on mental health, you can visit the National Institute of Mental Health.
