Coping with Hardship

All of suffer hard knocks in life, but it’s really how you cope with the experience, learn from it, and move on that can make a world of difference to our emotional wellness. Coping skills are the tools a person has to cope with negative experiences and the more coping skills a person has, the more likely they will be able to utilize their skills in times of stress. 

Simple Coping Mechanisms (BOX-OUT) 

  • Find it in your heart to forgive yourself for the mistakes you’ve made, no matter how big or small, and trust that you are capable of achieving more.  
  • Take care of your physical health as basic things like food, sleep, and exercise are fundamentally important in getting through these difficult times.  
  • Pain, anger, sadness, sorrow all have lessons to teach us and it is only through processing these emotions that we can acquire wisdom.  
  • Life can seem like a series of difficult events, but remember that everything that happens to us is happening to evolve us and make us reach the next level as a human being.   
  • Lean on a friend or loved one who can give you perspective when things seem too hard to handle.  
  • Give yourself permission to make a new beginning and remember that you choose the life you live.  

(Credit: Rawan Albina, professional life and wellness coach)