Rather than focus on the obvious stressful situation we are all in we wanted to turn our attention to the positive ways we can deal with times of uncertainty and make it easier to navigate. Let’s focus on what you’ve got and search for our inner #Yes.
So, we asked friend of Alive, Steph Tranter from Stephtranter.com for some useful tips and advice. In her latest podcast she explores the best thing you can do in times of uncertainty and gives us a few tips from her years in practice.
So, what IS the best thing you can do in times of uncertainty?
In a nutshell, Steph explains that the trick is to learn to manage yourself, so you are ready to deal with whatever comes your way. How we cope relates to our interpretation of an event and what it means to us rather than the event itself. Our reaction is within our control.
The science bit: When the part of the brain that processes emotions known as the limbic system is activated, it physically stops our pre-frontal cortex, our rational thinking centre, from functioning. If you are hijacked by your emotions or in an overwhelmed state you’ll struggle to deal with it, you’ll see more threats and you won’t be able to look ahead.
But there are a few things we can do to take back control. Steph shares her insight into what you ARE in control of during times of uncertainty… and that is simply … YOU!
Listen in full …
Tip 1 – Take it day by day or hour by hour
When things are new they take more time and energy to achieve and it’s easy to then get caught up in the worries of tomorrow. We don’t function at our normal pace or run on our usual habits. We need to acknowledge that things will take longer, we must be kinder to ourselves and believe that this state will come to an end at some point.
Create energy by saying this mantra:
‘I won’t feel like this forever’
Tip 2 – Accept what is not in your control, focus on what is
It may not always feel like it, but your emotional state and the way you choose to react to situations is within your control. By reframing your thinking and accepting the situation for what it is, you can begin to explore the things you can do to make yourself feel better. And there will always a positive element. Ask yourself, what’s good about this? Where is the positive?
To create acceptance of the situation why not say this mantra:
‘I may not want it, but it’s here’
Tip 3 – Notice when you’re not okay!
The sooner you spot and accept your emotions the quicker you will be able to bounce back from them and reduce the time spent being at their mercy. Notice when you are being hijacked by spotting the signs – physical signals like tension in your body and headaches, behavioural signals like irritability or avoiding people, and your own self-talk, beating yourself up with the language you use. Accept that your emotions exist and learn to spot and diffuse them sooner.
Understand your own emotions mantra:
‘Diffuse, don’t deny my emotions’
