As we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve noticed more and more people using the well-known phrase, “We will get through this together.†When we feel hopeless, our stress level rises, leaving us at risk for stress-related problems, if the problem is not quickly resolved. Simply thinking of and/or repeating certain phrases, mottos, or mantras can help us put stressful situations into perspective and improve our ability to cope… especially in difficult situations that are out of our control.
What are some of the mantras or mottos you live by? Is there one favorite? Or are there several, but you really haven’t given them much thought? Do you have any phrases framed in your home or office that really speak to you and give you hope, helping you to alleviate bad moods or feelings?
On the other hand, there might be times you feel helpless or hopeless, as your mind takes you down a rabbit hole of stress. Do you find yourself using phrases like, “What’s the use?†or “I can’t handle this anymore?†To learn how to shift negative thinking to positive ways to handle your everyday life, you can use the negative messages as red flags, alerting you that you need to – and can – take positive action. When life becomes overwhelming, try focusing on what you can control. Using positive sayings can help you re-group and find a glimmer of hope. Here are a few examples you can adopt and use when the going gets tough:
Where one door closes, another one opens. I actually like to use an even more positive version, which is, “Where one door closes, a better one is meant to open for you.†Adopting this belief can help you easily move past life’s disappointments and be aware of new opportunities. For example, if you’re stressed and not sleeping well because you didn’t get the new job you wanted, reminding yourself that an even better job may be right around the corner can move you beyond your feelings of discontent. This will enable you to reduce your stress, relax, and sleep better.
This, too, shall pass. I hear people use this phrase during especially hard times when life would become more and more difficult if we had to deal with certain problems for an endless amount of time. Reminding ourselves that a situation is temporary often gives us the strength to cope until the situation improves, or until we can improve the situation.
I can do this! Everything in life is relative and becoming spoiled with an easy life can make even the smallest problems seem daunting. During challenging times, reminding ourselves of all our blessings, that many others are denied, can help us put a messy situation into perspective. For example, having an unexpected flat tire can ruin our mood and leave us thinking that the day is terrible, until we remember that things could be worse and fixing a flat tire is a problem we can solve. It’s also better than having a more serious problem, in which we have no control. It all comes down to perspective, which we can use as a powerful coping tool. This simple practice not only helps us make sense of life, but can help us take a more positive point of view, and will contribute to our overall wellness.
What common sayings or mantras do you use to help you stay positive? What new ones can you adopt to make coping with tough situations easier? Use them to your advantage to turn difficult situations into simple inconveniences you can overcome. You’ll feel happier, healthier, and much more empowered!
