How to Break the Cycle of Negative Emotions During Hardships

Life is full of ups and downs, but when hardships come our way, they can leave us feeling overwhelmed with negative emotions. Whether it’s a loss of a loved one or a difficult situation we find ourselves in, experiencing emotions such as sorrow, anger, and guilt can take a toll on our mental well-being. While it’s natural to feel such a way during difficult times, constantly getting stuck in these negative emotions can be exhausting. Here’s how to break the cycle of anger, sadness, and guilt during hardships.

Ask Yourself If You’ll Still Care About It When You’re 90

When something happens that makes you upset, ask yourself if it’s something that you’ll still care about when you’re 90 years old. Will it still have a significant impact on your life or will it be forgotten in time? This simple exercise helps you put things into perspective and helps you realize that not everything is worth getting upset over. Letting go of things that won’t matter in the long run will help you free up mental space and energy for things that truly matter.

Acknowledge Your Emotions

It’s crucial to let yourself feel the emotions that come with hardships. Don’t try to repress them or shut them out. Instead, acknowledge them and allow yourself to feel them. Trying to ignore your emotions can make things worse in the long-run, and they may end up re-surfacing later on. Allow yourself to cry, scream, or do whatever you feel you need to do to release your emotions.

Don’t Overthink

When we experience hardships, it’s natural to overthink every detail of the situation. We may start replaying the situation in our minds and imagining different scenarios. Overthinking can lead to negative emotions such as anxiety and worry. Instead, try to focus on the present moment and what you can do to move forward. Break down what’s in your control and what’s not, and focus your energy on the former.

Take Action

During difficult times, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless. However, taking action can help you feel more in control of the situation. Think about what steps you can take to improve the situation or make it more bearable. This could be seeking help from a professional or confiding in a trusted friend or family member. Breaking down the problem into smaller parts can help you focus on the things that you can change.

Practice Self-Care

Taking care of yourself is important even in good times, but it’s especially important during difficult times. Practice self-care by doing things that make you feel good. This could be taking a relaxing bath, getting a massage, or indulging in a good book. Whatever it is that makes you feel good, make time for it. Taking care of yourself can help you feel more grounded and better equipped to deal with the challenges that come your way.

In conclusion, breaking the cycle of anger, sadness, and guilt during hardships requires a certain amount of mindfulness and being present in the moment. We must acknowledge our emotions, allow ourselves to feel them, and then take action to move forward. By focusing on the things that are in our control, practicing self-care, and letting go of things that won’t matter in the long-run, we can break free from the negative emotions that hold us back. Remembering to ask ourselves if we’ll still care about the situation when we’re 90 can also help us put things into perspective and help us avoid getting stuck in a cycle of negativity.