How to Not Lose Your Mind When Things Get Rough

Everybody has times when they feel like their lives are not their own and they are losing control. Being overwhelmed by the simplest things may sometimes feel like you're going under without a life jacket. Don't despair! Read on to learn some trick to stay afloat and even happy in a stressful and unpredictable world.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. When things start to get out of hand, sit down and make a list. Write down each problem or situation. For each problem, write down several possible solutions, no matter how small or how out of reach they may seem.

2. Make a list of all your resources. Friends, church groups, support groups and activities that you like to do. No matter how busy you are, make time for yourself. It lets you forget about all the craziness for a little while. Meditate, play a game with your kids--whatever you do that lets you recharge your batteries.

3. Talk to somebody and ask for help. That's not a bad thing. If you have friends that are there for you, use them. If you don't feel you have friends that are close enough to confide in, look into support groups. Everybody has issues and problems, and most are more than willing to talk about them.

4. Rely on your belief structure, no matter what religion you are. Look at your beliefs. Put them into practice for a change. If you don't feel you have any, do a personal inventory and see what's there. Would you like to find where you fit? Visit churches, temples and Buddhist centers, or attend events that are run by local religious groups.

5. Prioritize your list of problems and situations. Which ones are the most important and which ones can be handle at a different time? Take the most important two and decide which one needs to be taken care of. Once that has been decided, do what you need to do to get things started to clear it up. Handle one situation at a time. You may only have to start the process for it to start resolving itself. Then move to the next situation and begin again.

6. Every time you tackle one problem, take a small break. Don't burn yourself out. Slow and steady wins the race. Keep your focus and take time to recharge your batteries.

7. See a physician if you feel you cannot control things anymore. If it gets to the point where even small things overwhelm you, maybe it's time to talk to your doctor and see if what you're feeling is being caused by a physical abnormality.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't let people bully you.
• Don't think that you are the only one with a certain problem.

[Cherst1031]

on 8/18/2008 These are very helpful to me, thanks for writing it out in a clear and understandable way.

[Lifedicer]

on 7/28/2008 If you're going through hell....keep going!!!
I hope this advice is of as much help to anyone who needs it as it was to me. Whatever,things do get better. Believe me!

[thndrstrck63]

on 7/26/2008 We all should know by now, there's no such thing as a perfect world. The hardest part is finding the motivation to get out of the depression and to move toward more positive things. You can't avoid the depression, but you can deal with it by attempting to take steps toward figuring things out. No one said it would be easy. It can be the most difficult thing you can do, especially if you feel you're alone. Sometimes trying to think positive thoughts when you're emotions are in the gutter seems to be the most absurd thing in the world, but you there are times you just have to set your mind to something and just do your best.

[Sue-Z]

on 7/26/2008 Some good basic suggestions. It's hard to see your way out of the pits of depression when you focus on the depression itself. Thinking about a solution may shift that focus toward getting better.

[ssgchester]

on 7/26/2008 Geee, that's nice...in a PERFECT WORLD.