Some ways to improve yourself even in difficult times

Do you feel stuck in the middle of a difficult situation?

Are you struggling to cope with the challenges that life has thrown your way?

It is natural to feel overwhelmed and helpless during tough times, but it's important to remember that there are always ways to improve yourself and emerge stronger than ever before.

Firstly, by focusing on self-care and prioritizing your mental health, you can build resilience and become better equipped to handle stressors.

Secondly, by cultivating positive relationships and seeking support from loved ones or professionals, counsellors you can access a valuable network of resources that will help you navigate challenging times with greater ease.

These are just two examples of some practical tips.

If you're ready to take charge of your personal growth journey and rise above even the toughest obstacles, read on.

Prioritize Self-care

In times of hardship, it can be easy to forget about taking care of ourselves.

This is especially true, if you are always the one that focuses on everybody else.

However, just like a car needs regular maintenance to keep running smoothly, we also need self-care to function at our best.

Maybe, think of yourself as a plant that needs water and sunlight - without proper care, you will not flourish and will continue to wither.

So, what exactly does self-care entail?

It is different for everyone, but some examples include exercise, healthy eating habits, reading a book, having a hobby, getting enough sleep, and doing activities that bring joy.

People often say to themselves “I don’t need self-care, I’ll be fine” or “ I don’t need any self-care, as long as everyone else is ok, I’m ok”.

However, as noble, and as valiant as that may sound, there is a reason you are reading this article and more than likely looking at other similar things online or even thinking about different ideas in your imagination.

Therefore, it cannot be reiterated enough that self-care isn't selfish; in fact, by taking care of ourselves first, we become better equipped to help others around us.

It can be tempting to neglect self-care when things get tough - after all, there are always more pressing matters that demand attention.

Again, this is where you ask yourself, “why am I reading this article”, “why am I looking these activities/interests up online”, “why am I feeling this way”.

However, making time for yourself is crucial for maintaining your emotional well-being. Even if you start initially by setting aside just 15 minutes each day, as here you are giving yourself that much needed permission to do something or to take a hot bath ‘switch off’ and doing nothing.

Then, as you find different hobbies, interests, etc, you can then give yourself more time, e.g. if you decided that exercise at the gym is something that you wanted to take up, then you would increase your self-care time.

As the saying goes, "you cannot pour from an empty cup."

By prioritizing self-care during difficult times, you are filling up your own cup so that you have more energy and resources to give back to those around you.

Remember, when you give constantly, whatever that may be, you will eventually ‘run out’, the practice of self-care, helps you to refill your stockpiles, but also allows you to value yourself in this life.

So, take a deep breath and allow yourself the space and time needed to recharge.

Now that we have covered the importance of self-care, let's explore another way to improve your mindset during challenging moments: staying positive and practicing gratitude.

Stay Positive and Practice Gratitude

Staying positive and practicing gratitude is a powerful way of improving yourself, especially during difficult times.

While some may argue that it is easier said than done when everything around us seems to be falling apart, there are many benefits to adopting this mindset.

You might think that simply being grateful for what you have will not change your circumstances- but in reality, it’s a simple ‘mind technique’ that can help shift your focus away from negativity and onto the good things in life.

It helps create a space where you are able to appreciate the people and experiences that bring joy into your life, which makes dealing with challenges much more manageable.

One technique to try is keeping a list of things you are thankful for each day- whether big or small.

Maybe it is something as simple as enjoying a warm cup of coffee in the morning, a bond with a close relative or having a supportive counsellor (for example from Empowered Counselling Services in Wigan) who listens with empathy and without judgement.

When we take time to reflect on these moments, it can help reframe our perspective and foster feelings of contentment rather than frustration.

By staying positive and practicing gratitude, not only do you improve your own mental health and well-being but you also radiate positivity towards others.

This is particularly important if you want to serve those around you with kindness and compassion.

So why not give it a try?

Start by taking note of one thing you are grateful for right now - maybe even write it down (and referring to that list when you need to).

You will likely find that over time, focusing on the good will become second nature - allowing room in your life to learn new things.

Learn Something New

During tough times, it is easy to feel like everything is out of your control and that there's nothing you can do about it.

However, instead of giving in to despair, why not take this opportunity to learn something new?

Think about what interests or fascinates you and explore resources online or through books.

This may be the exact time to do it, as things aren’t at their greatest and you have a real passion in something that once completed may set you up in the long term.

For example, you may be a job role that is adding the bulk of stress in your life and you cannot see a way for it to be better. It maybe you have an interest in photography, now might be the time, you look at courses, resources, and ways that you can turn that passion into a form of income, which may help enrich your life alongside your job, therefore taking some stress away or being able to quit your job altogether.

Rember, learning something new does not just give you a sense of accomplishment; it also stimulates your brain and helps keep you engaged with the world around you.

Learning a new skill or subject is like adding an extra tool to your toolbox. It opens opportunities for growth and self-improvement, even when things seem hopeless.

Whether it is cooking, coding, or painting or even through counselling, may help you to discover/rediscover something. But taking on a new challenge can help shift your focus away from negative thoughts and towards positive achievements.

Of course, learning is not always easy, especially if you are dealing with difficult circumstances it takes time, effort, and dedication to master anything worthwhile.

However, making progress towards a goal can be incredibly rewarding, both personally and professionally.

Plus, by expanding your knowledge base and gaining experience in different areas, you will become more adaptable and resilient in the face of future challenges.

So, if you find yourself struggling right now, consider taking some time each day to learn something new.

You might be surprised at how much it lifts your spirits and improves your outlook on life.

Then who knows, maybe someday down the line, you will look back on this period as the moment when you discovered a whole new passion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, improving oneself during difficult times is not an easy feat but by setting short, medium, and long-term goals, you can do it.

Also, by prioritizing self-care and allowing yourself to rest when needed, you can recharge your batteries and tackle whatever life throws at you next.

Staying positive and practicing gratitude may seem simple, but it can make all the difference in how you approach challenges.

It's like adding sunshine to a rainy day - it won't stop the rain from falling, but it will brighten up your outlook on things.

Lastly, learning something new keeps your mind active and engaged, which can help combat feelings of stress or anxiety.

Remember that even small improvements can lead to big changes over time, so be patient with yourself as you work towards becoming the best version of yourself.