In hopelessness, find your hope.

There is no right or wrong way to feel right now. Everyone is experiencing so many different emotions and this crisis is impacting us all in various ways depending on our personal circumstances. People may be feeling angry, sad, stressed, worried, isolated or have a heightened sense of anxiety – some may simply feel bewildered with it all by now.

It's also important to recognise here that there are some people who are doing just fine. Some are using the crisis to adapt in ways that have benefited them more on a personal and professional level.

For others though, there may be times when they just feel overwhelmed, overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness. A feeling they can't seem to dig themselves out of – and that’s what I wanted to talk about in this short read. 

Staying positive. Maintaining hope.

You’re probably reading this and saying - How in a time that the world feels such a daunting place, where there feels no end in sight to the crisis do we remain positive and maintain a feeling of hope, rather than hopelessness?

I suppose it’s starts with looking at why we need hope?

What’s important to stress here is a phrase I’m not a fan of, but we are in this “new normal” for the foreseeable. So, whilst 2020 may feel like it’s been cancelled, it's important to maintain that sense of hope, however that looks and feels for you. Because hope plays a critical part in how we’re doing in supporting our physical and mental wellbeing.

It helps provide us with a more positive mind-set not only for now, but importantly, as we try to look beyond this crisis - offering us some motivation for the future, giving us a greater sense of purpose.

What can we do as individuals or together to feel more hopeful?

• Take some time to think about what you want from the future – looking ahead and having that vision can spark something in you that offers that hope.
• Think of the things you’d like to achieve in the short term. Be realistic with yourself - are they doable? That way you can aim for the things that can be achieved, without feeling like you're letting yourself down. Get started using the SMART Goals method - have a read of this approach here.

• We’ve heard this a lot – but make regular time to connect. Accepting at the same time, that we still need to adapt how we do this for the months ahead will play a big part in how we feel. But make that time to connect and catch up with someone you want to:

1. check in with to make sure they're okay;
2. learn a little more from on a personal/professional level or even;
3. simply say hi to because you miss seeing them and having that normal face to face interaction.

But knowing whatever the reason, in making that time, it could be the ONE thing that day, which makes a world of difference - to you and them ☕

• Focus on what you’re thankful for. Give yourself a reason to get up and smile each day.
• KEY: Limit your social media/news intake. Especially if this is having a detrimental impact on your mental wellbeing and making you feel less hopeful.
• Help/encourage/support others around you if they are feeling low. Reassure them you’re there to listen with a friendly ear.
• Complete a random act of kindness - some great ideas here from the Mental Health Foundation
• And though we’re saying look ahead – it’s also important to live well in that day, in that moment. Make time each day for something that makes you happy. For example, making the most of your hobby (adapting the way you do this if you can’t do it in the way you normally would). Grab a book and read. The list could go on and on.

Rounding off:

I came across this poem about 3 months ago and something in the words really resonated with me, so it felt really fitting to finish off with this given what we've been talking about. I hope there’s something in the words that resonates with you too. 

And finally…

Something I keep repeating but feel it’s such an important message - key to anything when it comes to managing and supporting our mental health is talking.

• Talk to people about how you’re feeling.
• Be open.
• Let them know your triggers.
• Explain some of the things that can be done to help support you when you need that support - do you prefer to be left alone, will a chat help or do you have another, more specific coping mechanism?

By talking, by letting others in - you can start to work through things together and hopefully promote more positive outcomes for you over the long term.

Resources

If this has got you thinking and you or someone you know needs extra support, there are lots of great resources out there. Here are just a couple that you may find useful to get started: 

• MIND guide to support and services
• Every Mind Matters - A stand out feature on this one is that it offers a tool, which provides individuals with personalised tips and advice.