Feeling Stuck? 8 Simple Ways to Help Yourself Through Hard Times
Hi everyone, John here! We all face moments in life that feel like we’re trying to walk through thick mud. Whether it’s a personal setback, a stressful period at work, or just a general feeling of being overwhelmed, these hard times are a part of being human. The good news is, we don’t have to just wait for the storm to pass without an umbrella. There are simple, gentle things we can do to support ourselves and find our footing again.
Today, we’re going to explore eight healing practices that can make a real difference when you’re struggling. Think of these not as a giant to-do list, but as a menu of options you can choose from. Ready? Let’s dive in.
1. Give Your Feelings a Voice
When something hurts, our first instinct is often to push the feeling away. We tell ourselves to “be strong” or “get over it.” But imagine you have a small child who is crying. Would you tell them to just stop? Or would you kneel down and ask what’s wrong? Your feelings deserve that same gentle attention.
Simply acknowledging how you feel—sad, angry, scared, confused—is a powerful first step. You don’t have to “fix” it right away. Just let it be there. Saying to yourself, “I’m feeling really sad right now, and that’s okay,” can lift a huge weight off your shoulders. It’s about validation, not judgment.
2. Treat Yourself Like a Friend (Self-Compassion)
This one is a game-changer. Think about how you treat a close friend who is going through a tough time. You’d likely offer them kind words, a hug, or a listening ear. You wouldn’t criticize them for feeling down or tell them they’re failing.
Now, think about the voice inside your own head. Is it as kind? For many of us, it’s our harshest critic. Self-compassion is about turning that inner voice into a supportive friend.
Lila: “Wait a minute, John. What exactly is self-compassion? I’ve heard that term, but it sounds a bit like just feeling sorry for yourself or making excuses.”
John: “That’s a fantastic question, Lila, and a very common thought! Self-compassion isn’t about letting yourself off the hook or wallowing in pity. It’s about recognizing that you’re human, and being human means you will struggle and make mistakes. It’s about offering yourself the same warmth, kindness, and understanding you’d give to someone you care about. It’s the difference between saying, ‘You’re such a failure,’ and ‘This is really hard, but you’re doing your best to get through it.'”
3. Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Body
When we’re stuck in a loop of worry or sadness, our minds can feel like a tangled ball of yarn. One of the best ways to untangle it is to shift your focus to your body. You don’t need to run a marathon or hit the gym for an intense workout (unless you want to!).
Gentle movement can be incredibly healing. Try some of these:
- A slow, mindful walk where you pay attention to the feeling of your feet on the ground.
- Stretching for five minutes when you wake up.
- Putting on your favorite song and just dancing around the living room.
- Doing a few simple yoga poses.
The goal isn’t to burn calories; it’s to change your mental and emotional state by moving your physical state.
4. Remember You’re Not an Island (The Power of Connection)
When we’re hurting, it’s so easy to pull away from others. We might feel like a burden, or we just don’t have the energy to socialize. While some quiet time is healthy, complete isolation can make things much worse.
Reaching out doesn’t have to be a big, dramatic conversation. It can be as simple as:
- Sending a text to a friend to say hi.
- Calling a family member just to hear their voice.
- Having a brief, lighthearted chat with a barista or grocery store clerk.
These small points of connection remind us that we’re part of a community and that we’re not alone in the world. Sharing your struggle with someone you trust can also cut its power in half.
5. Nourish Your Body to Nourish Your Mind
Think of your body as a car. If you’re on a long, difficult road trip, you need to give it good fuel to keep going. When we’re stressed or down, we often reach for sugary, processed foods that give us a quick spike of energy followed by a crash, which can make our moods even more unstable.
You don’t need to suddenly adopt a perfect diet. Just focus on adding in some good stuff. Can you add a piece of fruit to your breakfast? A handful of greens to your lunch? Drinking an extra glass of water? These small acts of nourishment send a powerful message to your body: “I’m taking care of you.”
6. The Simple Magic of Rest
Sleep is one of the first things to suffer when we’re going through a hard time. Our minds race, and we can’t seem to switch off. Yet, rest is absolutely essential for our brains to process emotions and for our bodies to repair themselves.
Lila: “Okay, John, but what if you’re trying to rest but your brain just won’t shut up? Telling a stressed person to ‘just get more sleep’ can feel impossible!”
John: “You’ve hit on a key point, Lila! It’s not just about sleep, it’s about rest. If you can’t sleep, don’t fight it. Try resting instead. This could mean:
- Lying down in a dark room and listening to calming music or a podcast.
- Doing a guided meditation specifically for relaxation (there are tons of free apps for this!).
- Reading a light, easy book (not on a bright screen, if possible).
The goal is to give your mind and body a break from a state of high alert. Sometimes, taking the pressure off ‘falling asleep’ is what actually helps you drift off.”
7. Look for the Glimmers
When you’re in a dark place, it can feel like everything is bad. This practice isn’t about pretending you’re happy when you’re not. It’s about training your brain to notice the small, neutral, or even slightly positive things that are still happening around you. These are the “glimmers.”
A glimmer could be:
- The taste of your morning coffee.
- The warmth of the sun on your skin.
- A cute dog you see on your walk.
- The comfort of your favorite blanket.
By consciously noticing these tiny moments, you remind yourself that not everything is awful. It’s like finding a few tiny stars on a cloudy night. They don’t make the clouds go away, but they do remind you that the sky is still up there.
8. Hold Onto the Truth: “This Too Shall Pass”
In the middle of a storm, it feels like it will rain forever. Our struggles can feel huge, permanent, and all-consuming. This is where perspective comes in.
Try to remember other hard times you’ve been through. You survived them. You got through them. This difficult period, as intense as it is right now, is also temporary. It is a chapter in your life, not the whole story. Holding onto this truth doesn’t magically solve your problems, but it can provide a powerful sense of hope and endurance to keep you moving forward, one step at a time.
A Few Final Thoughts from Me (John):
Looking back at these practices, I see a common thread: kindness. Healing isn’t about being tough or forcing yourself to feel better. It’s a process of making small, gentle, and kind choices for yourself, over and over again, until the light starts to peek through.
Lila’s Take:
As someone who can get really overwhelmed by big problems, seeing this list is a relief. It feels less like “climb this huge mountain” and more like “just take this one small step.” I’m definitely going to try “looking for the glimmers” today!
This article is based on the following original source, summarized from the author’s perspective:
8 Things To Remember Next Time You’re Going Through A Hard
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