Jill Starbuck
The Nurturing Well by: Jill Starbuck
At some time in our life, we inevitably face circumstances completely out of our control. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, an incurable medical diagnosis, a job loss, or other circumstances that cannot be changed, we all face them. In my situation, it is a chronic medical condition with many unanswered questions. While my intentions for these articles are to help readers in various fitness and wellness aspects of their lives, I’m also not immune to some of the things I write about. Therefore, in this specific article, I’m providing helpful tips that help me get through difficult moments of treatment and dealing with my condition. Maybe you can use these tips to help you through circumstances out of your control too.
1. Find YOUR therapy. This is not about conventional therapy. This is finding something that works for you to ease your stress, to get through a painful moment, or to deal with the circumstances. For me, it’s writing and running. Both of these give me an outlet so I’m not completely consumed by my condition. Yours may be meditation, going to church, meeting friends, or reading a book. No matter what your therapy is, find it and use it.
2. Face it. Acknowledge the situation and get a good grasp of it. Figure out your next steps. Grieving is more than likely going to be a part of the process and that’s OK. Allow yourself the grief, but try not to dwell on it. We all have to pick ourselves up at one time or another. If you find you can’t do that, then seek professional help.
3. Focus on someone else. While it is very easy to pull inward and become consumed with a situation, try to focus on someone else who may need help. After all, many people need help and, most times, someone is in a more difficult situation than you are. If we take our mind off ourselves and help someone else, this will ease some of our own discomfort. It’s a win-win for both parties.
4. Make the best of it. Rather than dwelling on the things you can no longer do, look for ways to improve on things you can still do or haven’t tried. It may be frustrating that your life is suddenly interrupted, but you are still living and should make the most of your life. It is easy to become negative when life as we knew it turns upside down. Depression can creep up at a fast rate. We must fight that.
5. Give yourself credit. You’re stronger than you think. There is always a place for hope, so grasp onto that hope. Appreciate what you have and remain determined to overcome your obstacles. These situations teach you more about yourself than you know. Learn from them and give yourself credit during the process.
If you’re anything like me, you will have many ups and downs with such life-altering situations. There is nothing easy about these situations. They are frustrating, scary, and unfortunate. However, there are so many things in life to appreciate and be thankful for. I hope you that if you are currently facing a difficult situation that some of these tips will help you through that situation.
Jill Starbuck has 20 years of experience as a business writer, editor, and market research analyst. She is a certified health coach through the Integrative Institute of Nutrition and a certified running coach through the Road Runners Club of America. She is also the co-owner of a running business. She can be reached at jillstarbuck@hotmail.com.
