10 Ways to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough

May 4, 2020

The difference between us lie not only in the shape hardship takes but also in how we respond to it. The reality is that we all face times when the going gets tough. Whether they're related to work, home, finances, relationships, or friendships, we all experience tough times in life.

One of the most important thing to remember when going through tough times is to hold your head up and find your inner strength to forge forward. Don't get discouraged or feel defeated, but start with your own perspective and take solace in knowing that you are in charge of your own experience. And believe it or not, you're stronger than you think.

Start With Boosting Your Resilience

There's several ways to boost your resilience but I've highlighted four important tips to consider.

Refrain your interpretations. Explain your situation in a positive light while still accepting reality.
Identify what you can control. Optimists succeed by focusing their attention on how to make their situation better.
Seek support. A sense of community enables true resilience.
Embrace challenge. Understand that challenge can strengthen us.

Stay Positive

Ways to stay positive are many.

Focus on health and opportunity. Now is the time to set those healthy goals, train for a competition or a race this year. Really dig deep to drive your motivation to health.
Jump into something new. Remember a month ago when time was moving so fast you couldn't even think about taking on a hobby. I can't tell you how many times people have asked me what my hobby is and I've thought to myself, who has time for a hobby? Well now's the time! Do you want to learn a new language, finish that book you started, or learn to knit a scarf or blanket? The opportunities are endless!
Fast forward the negative movie reel in your head. "This time shall pass" is a favorite phrase of mine. Yes, this time in your life, whatever you're going through, is rough and feels endless. But it WILL pass. Think about the future, make plans for when life is happier, easier. Feel free to daydream about what makes your smile and what brings excitement to your life.
Be grateful. When life gets you down and you just feel like the world is against you, remember everything that is positive and is going your way. I guarantee that by truly reflecting and counting all the positives in your life, you'll have a new found feeling of gratitude.
Snuggle with a furry friend. When you cuddle with your pet it stimulates the brain's production of Oxytocin (the "love hormone") in both of you. Cuddling with your pet can lower your heart rate, reduce your blood pressure, and may even stimulate muscle regeneration.
Have a chat with a friend. Friendship is a crucial element in protecting our mental health. Our friends can keep us grounded and can help us get things in perspective. Friends form one of the foundations of our ability to cope with problems that life throws at us.

Remember, as we journey through life, there will inevitably be periods of incredible frustration and despair. During those tough times, it will sometimes appear to us that we've lost everything, and nothing or nobody could motivate us to move forward in the direction of our dreams. But you need to trust the journey, even when you don't understand it. As Epicurus so profoundly said, "Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for. "