How Can You Find Hope When Everything Seems to be Getting Worse?
No matter where you turn, it seems like negative news is everywhere.
The morning news blares incessantly about the economy and forecast for a inflation looming in the near future. School shooting and after shooting occurring almost every day throughout the country. National and world wide security concerns cover the evening news.
You try to find a break from it all by turning off the TV and mindlessly scrolling on social media. You came to find photos, videos, memes, and GIFs of your friends, family, and other loved ones, but instead, your timeline is filled with climate concerns, Supreme Court issues, and COVID and new diseases appearing across the country.
It can be easy to lose hope and even feel hopeless at times.
Here’s how you can find hope when everything seems to be getting worse.
Lean on Your Loved Ones
You may be feeling like you have no one to turn to right now, but that’s certainly not the case. Don’t let your mind play tricks on you. Your friends, family, and loved ones are there for you through the good times and the bad.
If you’re struggling, lean on them for support. There’s a good chance that they may be feeling a similar way, and you can support one another during these challenging times.
Focus On the Positive
When negative stories fill up a majority of your day, it’s can be hard to consider the positive things going on in your life. Try to think about the things that bring you joy, even if it means thinking about them a little longer or searching a little harder.
Consider some of the below as positivities in your life:
A smile from a stranger
Someone complimenting you
Completing a project, clearing your inbox, or polishing off a presentation at work
The weather
Eating a snack or meal that you enjoyed
It may be hard to find positivity at first, but once you start recognizing all of the positive things in your day-to-day life, it will be hard to not see them.
Practice Self-Care
Practicing self-care is a great way to take care of yourself, internally and externally. It can also be a great way of something you can look forward to in your day or week.
Self-care looks different for everyone. If you enjoy working out, make sure you’re dedicating time in your day to hit the gym, go for a walk, hop on your bicycle, or roll out your yoga mat.
Your version of self-care could mean scheduling an appointment for a massage, a hair appointment, getting your nails done, or booking a facial.
Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive either. Eating all of your scheduled meals during your day or planning to watch your favorite weekly television show could be a form of self-care and relaxation for you.
Unplug
When you’re feeling hopeless, especially with the ongoing negativity in the news, it may be a good idea to disconnect. It’s okay to want to stay informed and up to date with what’s going on in the world, but if you notice yourself spiraling or feeling a little negative after consuming any news sources, logging off may be the best plan of action for you.
If you can’t disconnect completely, try setting time limits on your phone for certain apps. If possible, schedule a timeframe during your day to check the news. Once the time is over, log off and continue doing other things. This can be a great way to keep you living in the present moment instead of thinking about the past or worrying about the future.
Seek Additional Support
When you start to feel hopeless, it can be difficult to not feel that way anymore, especially if you’re trying to get through it on your own. The good news is that you don’t have to, nor should you. If you feel like you have nowhere else to turn, try reaching out to a therapist for additional support.
Talking to a professional can help you get on the right track to finding hope again. Reach out to us today to set up a consultation.
