There’s no getting around it. Life is filled with twists and turns, highs and lows, laughter, and tears. Adversity is not reserved for the less fortunate nor does it discriminate. The recent global pandemic, COVID-19, is a stark example. We have all been touched in some way by this pandemic, economically, socially, or both. 

While we may experience some bumps and bruises on this beautiful journey called life, there are tools we can utilize to help us along the way. Yes, hardships do exist, but how we handle them can either strengthen or destroy us. 

Here are 5 positive ways to handle life’s adversities:

1. Adopt an Attitude of Gratitude – Studies have shown that appreciating the good in our life does wonder for the psyche. Take time to appreciate everything, even the serendipities, like pulling into the parking lot just as someone is pulling out of that ideal spot. 

2. Meditate – Introducing meditation into our lives provides a means to maintain balance.  We learn to quiet our mind from the constant chatter and provides us peace to “listen” to our true inner voice. 

3. Spend time doing something you love – Do you have a hobby, or wish you had one? What feeds your happy? Is it being in nature, gardening, reading? Whatever it is, invest some time doing what brings you joy. Do something just for YOU. 

4. Turn to people you trust – Our loved ones sometimes know exactly what to say when we need it most. Turning to family and friends for solace in times of crisis can be the perfect salve for our pain. 

5. Seek professional guidance – Sometimes there are emotional traumas and hurts we don’t want to divulge to friends and family, or we are at our wits’ end and don’t know what to do. In these instances, seeking professional counseling is a good place to start. 

A counselor has extensive training in helping individuals overcome personal difficulties. One mostly overlooked means of accessing a counsellor is through our employer. 

Most large companies offer employees access to counselling by way of an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This program offers employees the opportunity to speak with a counsellor about work-related or personal issues affecting their mental and emotional well-being, such as stress, grief, abuse, family issues etc. 

EAP counsellors are free to employees and operate by the same confidentiality standards you would receive by hiring a counsellor on your own.

How we feel at any given moment, has an incredibly significant impact on how we perceive life, and how we respond to situations that influence it. It is therefore of utmost importance that we monitor and nurture our mindset to ensure we remain emotionally resilient when life throws us curves.