Life is like a roller coaster. There will be times when you are extremely happy and incredibly miserable. And sometimes you will even feel hopeless. Deviation from routine, technological innovations, and changing relationships can make one feel that the world is fast leaving one behind. However, these feelings do not necessarily have to persist. They could be addressed by being sensitive and empathetic towards others.
Losing your sense of purpose or control is nothing new. But, you need to regain your confidence and your joy when lost. Continue reading for some practical tips on how to do it.
1. Accept and validate your feelings
Don’t forget, helplessness is not weakness. We are helpless when we can’t react to the situations in which we believe that we lack power. Accept your feelings without judgment. Take them for what they are and you have already overcome them.
Practical strategies such as journaling can be useful. Record your thoughts daily to observe what you feel. Classify your feelings and look for patterns that may be generating helplessness.
Positive affirmations can also lead you to acceptance. Remind yourself: My emotions are valid, and their acceptance is a step towards positive change.
2. Keep Your Eye on What You Can Control
Many things in life are outside of your control. However, by taking what you are capable of controlling in life, you will be able to reclaim your sense of agency. Focus on what you are able to do, and not on what you cannot.
A few simple steps that will make you reclaim your sense of control are:
- Establish a routine: Establish small daily routines that make you happy. It is as simple as drinking a cup of coffee or tea in the evening.
- Establish small, possible goals: It is wonderful to have a great ambition, but sensible goals can do wonders for your productivity and purpose.
- Carve out some area in your house to celebrate small victories: It can provide a sense of achievement.
- Do the little things consciously: Cooking and eating, reading, and going for a walk can all be done consciously and mindfully.
3. Rediscover Your Passions
Engage in hobbies or interests. Keep yourself surrounded by things and activities that make you happy. This might be a good way to defeat helplessness. Recalling your passions such as gardening, reading, painting, or music may give you a sense of direction.
You can also learn something new as a hobby by enrolling in a class. Surrounded by the same kind of people will lead to connections and help you overcome loneliness. Now, you can do it through various online forums and attend virtual gatherings. You can ask a family member to help you get in.
Some apps you might consider:
- Skillshare: Provides various creative classes.
- MasterClass: Provides a platform to learn from renowned experts in various fields.
- Udemy: Provides a list of hobby development and skill learning courses.
4. Reach Out to Your Community
Loneliness and isolation can intensify feelings of helplessness. Seek out connection with friends, family, or the community. This can be vital for emotional support.
There are many ways to stay in touch with your community:
- Attend community gatherings or social events.
- Volunteer for a cause that is meaningful to you. This can be a way of befriending like-minded individuals within your community.
- Go to neighborhood clubs or hobby groups. This can bring some organization into your social life.
- Join online book clubs or forums to meet with other individuals of similar interests. Chat rooms and meetups are effective ways of socialization.
- Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, and Google Meet are software that can help you remain connected with people virtually, even if physical meetings are not possible.
5. Learn Mindfulness and Relaxation Exercises
Being present is the most important thing for mindfulness. Mindfulness exercises will help you stay grounded and present. It will calm despair and panic.
Here are some simple exercises to set out on the path of peace and happiness:
- Deep breathing: Inhale for four seconds, hold for four seconds, and exhale for four seconds. This is also referred to as triangle breathing. It helps you to focus on your breaths and avoid anxiety.
- Guided meditation: Utilize apps like Calm or Insight Timer. Meditate as part of regular routine.
- Gratitude journaling: Record things you are thankful for on a daily basis.
- Body scanning: Lie down and consciously relax each section of your body, beginning from your toes.
- Positive affirmations: Tell yourself that you are present and relaxed. Repeat: I am present, relaxed, and master of my mind.
6. Restrict Negative Media Exposure
Stay informed. Bad news, however, can exhaust you, though, and exacerbate feelings of helplessness. Watch and read wholesome, slice-of-life, clean media as much as you can.
You can also subscribe to social media handles or newsletters containing positive and wholesome content. Reducing your exposure to media and news to specific times of the day is also advisable. Excessive exposure to sad, violent, or negative content will result in higher levels of loneliness and feelings of helplessness.
7. Seek Professional Help if Needed
Sometimes it helps to talk with experienced and trustworthy mental health counselors. They are able to give advice and suggestions. Therapy isn’t just curative. It is preventive as well. Take proactive action towards mental well-being.
How to seek help:
- Online platforms like Practo, InnerHour, and MindPeers provide therapy sessions.
- Your personal doctor can recommend a therapist.
- There are counseling sessions tailored for older adults.
Keep in mind that the mere act of seeking help is a sign of strength and self-awareness.
8. Stay Healthy Physically
The body and mind are connected. Physical exercise releases endorphins that uplift our mood. A healthy body is necessary for a healthy mind.
Some tips to stay physically active are:
- Do some physical exercise like morning walk or yoga.
- If you play a sport and are physically active, keep practicing it.
- You can use fitness apps to guide your exercise routine.
- You can try enrolling yourself in dance classes for seniors. They will keep you physically active and mentally engaged.
- Enroll in a physical activity session conducted to music or a podcast.
- Make sure that you are physically and mentally fit.
9. Have a Growth Mindset
Each experience is a chance to learn and improve oneself. This is what we refer to as a growth mindset. Possessing this mindset may alter your attitude towards challenges. It may assist you in converting negative experiences into learning experiences.
Ways to develop a growth mindset:
- Celebrate small wins: Small wins and achievable goals create confidence and self-esteem.
- Setbacks are hard, so take it slow: Give yourself time to come back from them. But when you do, look at what you learned from them.
- Surround yourself with positivity: Stay around others that make your life better.
- Treat yourself kindly: Be good to yourself even when you make mistakes.
Case Study: Technological Paralysis
Picture this: You are getting frustrated with the technology surrounding you. You’ve just bought a new smartphone, and you’re bewildered with how to operate it. The notifications, the features, and the interface all leave you bewildered.
How do you take control back?
- Learning new skills: You watch videos related to basic smartphone operating skills.
- Forming a habit: You form a habit to study about social media and other smartphone-related features.
- Interaction with others: You interact with other individuals face-to-face or on the internet in order to learn from them.
Doing these consistently makes you more confident. You turned what appeared to be an obstacle into learning.
FAQs
Q: How long before I can get over this feeling of helplessness?
A: There is no fixed timeline. Everyone is different. It’s just how you make it in your own time.
Q: But what if I do not want to be around others or do things?
A: It is alright to do it in your own time. Begin with tiny things, like calling a good friend or doing something simple which gets you into a good state of mind. You can scale up slowly.
Q: Can therapy actually help in overcoming helplessness?
A: Yes, through therapy you can gain useful insights, coping mechanisms, and emotional support.
Q: What are a few easy things I can do to overcome the feeling of helplessness?
A: Deep breathing, grounding techniques (such as the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise), listening to motivational music, and concentrating on things you are grateful for can be helpful.
Conclusion: Rediscovering Strength and Joy
It is not simple to eliminate loneliness. The feelings will perhaps never fully disappear. But through awareness, you can restore your sense of control, be happy, and enjoy life.
Life is full of learning, connection, and growth. Everyone is worthy of happiness and joy.
Step towards happiness and connection. Call a friend, learn something new, take up a new physical activity, or do something else you love. And don’t forget, you’re not alone.
You’ve got this!
