Whether you’re trapped in a toxic environment, are struggling to prioritize your mental health, or battling anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding your way out can seem impossible at times.
The uncertainty around the pandemic has further exacerbated mental health issues, deepening the abyss of chaos, fear, and confusion that some people experience. If you’ve been finding it hard to embark on the journey toward recovery in these times, you’re not alone.
At a time when it feels like finding the light at the end of the tunnel is impossible, most of us have developed flimsy coping mechanisms instead of confronting, understanding, and managing our emotions. We tend to shove recovery under the rug because of the emotional strength and vulnerability required of us.
However, recovery is important; it’s the only long-term fix for the deep scars left by the battles you’ve fought in the past and are currently fighting.
Here are some ways you can get started.
1. Carefully Navigate Your Emotions
You can’t embark on the journey to recovery without having a strong willingness to navigate your emotions. If you’re forcing yourself to heal on the recommendation of friends and/or family without actually wanting to, it’s unlikely that things will pan out as intended.
Recovery is a long, hard, and laborious journey. Unless you’re ready to confront your emotions and do the work, you’ll be forced to start from scratch multiple times. Whether you’re struggling with depression, panic attacks, PTSD, an eating disorder, or a similar mental health issue, remind yourself that it’s time to get help.
Unforced readiness will go a long way in helping you heal.
2. Find a Healthy Way to Disentangle Your Mental Health Issues
The journey to recovery isn’t a cookie-cutter process. While you can seek inspiration from other people’s recovery stories, you can’t incorporate the same measures into your life and expect them to work just as well.
Find what works for you based on your personal battles and preferred mode of healing. For some people, therapy works wonders. For others, reading motivational and self-help books is a powerful way out.
Experiment with different strategies until you find a healthy balance (this can also be a combination of strategies).
Ralph Sanders’ powerful books have helped many people disentangle, process, and manage their mental health issues. In Held Hostage, he narrates his personal struggles with being trapped in a toxic relationship and offers powerful insight into breaking the cycle and freeing yourself. Break Loose is another tour de force that empowers readers to take control of and transform their lives by learning from adversities instead of letting them hold you back.
3. Don’t Hesitate to Rely on Supportive Friends and Family
The journey to recovery can get challenging at times. While you’ll gradually feel lighter as you address and manage your emotions, the immense work required may leave you feeling drained and craving support.
Don’t hesitate to turn to your friends and/or family for encouragement, inspiration, and support. However, take special care to not let toxic people back into your life. As you move forward, surround yourself with wholesome and uplifting energy instead of revisiting toxic relationships.
4. Track Your Progress
We strongly recommend tracking your progress to remind yourself of how far you’ve come. This is also a great way to feel motivated to keep going.
Track milestones in a journal or on the “Notes” app on your phone so you can revisit them whenever you feel demotivated or defeated.
5. Don’t Let Setbacks Get to You
Recovery isn’t linear. There are bound to be many setbacks along the way. One of the most effective ways to ensure long-term recovery is to remember that you’re human and that stumbling blocks are a part of the process.
In his autobiography, Halftime Hustler, Ralph Sanders discusses the importance of finding the strength to keep going despite fighting countless battles in life. Instead of veering off course, manage each setback and find the courage to get back on track.
With extensive experience in helping people realign their life, Ralph Sanders is a renowned author, leadership advisor, motivational speaker, and coach. He has dedicated his life to encouraging people to overcome adversities, so they can feel empowered. Browse through his videos to feel motivated and inspired during the ongoing period of difficulty.