11 Oct Is it just me, or do others sometimes find lots of GOOD NEWS hard to handle? If so, here’s how I try to cope …
Lately, I’m happy to say that quite a few GOOD THINGS have been happening; quite a few positives about which I’m really excited. And although that might sound great, and it is great, it’s also something I find hard to manage in ways.
We talk a lot about coping with bad news or negative events; but not much about coping with good news or more than usual positivity!
Why would you need to “cope” with it?
Well, for me, my excitement can manifest as anxiety, which means I feel highly aroused, which can be uncomfortable and more specifically, can affect my sleep and concentration and moods in various ways.
It’s not that I don’t want to feel good; but just that feeling good can, in a way, have side effects.
But I’m working out how to manage it better and how to enjoy these good times and if this is something you can relate to then here are a few tips I’ve found helpful:
- recognise what’s going on and how it’s impacting you. If you can, label the emotions and describe the experience as specifically as possible
- allow yourself to feel ALL the feelings, good and bad. Accept the excitement and joy and happiness, but also accept that this can come with some anxiety and stress
- set aside some time to be curious about the WHOLE experience. Study it. Do what you can to understand the positive emotions, like happiness, as well as the less positive ons like anxiety or worry
- and finally, do what you can and do what you need to do to take care of yourself. Meditate, or mediate more. Exercise. Use distraction if it might help but mostly, know that you don’t have to cope all on your own. Reach out and ask for help; talk to others. Share your worries and share your joys!