When turmoil hits your life, people who care rally around you offering support, a listening ear and assistance with the every day responsibilities. Of course, you tell yourself...
"This too shall pass."
"Things always work out for the best."
"It is God's will."
"I should just be thankful for my blessings."
If you're Christian, you might wonder how to pray for God's will when all you might want is your own desire regardless of His will? I'm like that too and sometimes I feel like Johnny Smith...
- Johnny Smith climbs to the top of Mt. Sinai to get close enough to talk to God. Looking up, he asks the Lord... "God, what does a million years mean to you?"
The Lord replies, "A minute."
Johnny Smith asks, "And what does a million dollars mean to you?"
The Lord replies, "A penny."
Johnny Smith asks, "Can I have a penny?"
The Lord replies, "In a minute."
Obviously I have a little more growing in order to not whine during rough times, but that's part of the reason I'm on this planet, right?
Maybe you have more faith than I do, but even so, there are still a few basic things people can do when going through a tragedy or rough spot in life.
- Stop all the extras activities in life and concentrate on just yourself. Declutter your activities and avoid having unrealistic expectations of yourself.
- Eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water.
- Get plenty of sleep, rest and relaxation. Grief and trauma are exhausting and often triggers the "flight or fight" response.
- Seek and find your inner strength through peaceful activities such as reading, meditation and praying.
- Accept your mood swings.
- Ask for help with anything no matter how trivial the task.
- Do not make any major decisions such as moving, buying a car, etc.
- Seek help with a therapist if you need someone unbiased to listen. This will allow you to walk through the pain and obtain coping skills.
- Allow yourself time to grieve and comfort yourself in your own way. Ignoring the pain will be detrimental to your long term mental health and trying to cope someone else's way is pointless.
- Remember that it takes time to recover from tragedy and the effects it has in living day to day.
- Eventually you will get to the point where you feel empowered in your life again. Recognize the tragedy and healing so that you can make plans for the future.
Try to reconnect with humor.
Laughing produces endorphins in the brain and that will naturally cause you to feel happier. Another endorphin producing activity is exercising, but that is a dirty word on this blog.
So here is my attempt to give you a smile today...
- There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example, I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt.
- Eat a live toad first thing in the morning, and nothing worse can happen to you the rest of the day.
- The best way to forget all your troubles is to wear tight shoes
- If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
Hotlines
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Toll-Free: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)
Web Site: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Workplace Helpline
Toll-Free: 1-800-WORKPLACE (967-5752)
Web Site: http://www.helpline-group.com/home.asp
Office for Victims of Crime
Toll-Free: 1-800-851-3420
TTY: 1-877-712-9279
Web Site: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/ovcres/welcome.html
Helpful Resources
National Mental Health Information Center
Toll-Free: 1-800-789-2647 (English and Español)
TDD: 1-866-889-2647
Web Site: www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov
Mental Health Services Locator
Toll-Free: 1-800-789-2647 (English and Español)
TDD: 1-866-889-2647
Web Site: www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases
Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator
Toll-Free: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (24/7 English and Español)
TDD: 1-800-487-4889
Web Site: www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
Toll-Free: 1-800-729-6686 (English and Español)
TDD: 1-800-487-4889
Web Site: www.ncadi.samhsa.gov
Smiling while wearing cute shoes,
