How can i cope with stress and anxiety, especially when you feel hopeless?

Hi Lex,

Having stress, anxiety, and feeling stuck are very common feelings - and typically won't last forever. Trying to develop more compassion and forgiveness for yourself and any past transgressions is a good start to letting go of any derogative self-judgment.

Sometimes the relationships in our lives feel like they haven't progressed in the manner we had hoped that they would. Or a job we were working at falls apart or seems to be leading us away from the life we wanted.  

In order to go a little deeper into the complex causes of why you are feeling stuck or overwhelmed you can begin by asking the following questions and responding to them as best as you can:

1. What specifically is contributing to making you unhappy or stressed out?

2. What in your life sparks joy for you?

3. What relationships are providing you with meaning and fulfillment?

4.  Do you have specific goals that motivate you and give you a sense of purpose? 

If the stress you are feeling is overwhelming there is also nothing wrong with you scaling back the workload that you are trying to carry. 

You can start by making small minor changes. 

Don't allow this stress to completely restrict you from taking a step back from some of the things you are trying to do on a weekly basis.  

Try stepping back from one or two things in your life to make the larger priorities more manageable. Once you can recognize where your energy is being drained from you can restructure some of the smaller things in your life.

Don't forget to remember your own self-care. Do a quick check-in on yourself. 

1. Are you getting enough sleep and rest at night? 

2. How are your diet and nutrition? Are you eating healthy foods that nourish your body?

3. Do you take a time out for a vacation to allow your mind and body a chance to relax? Taking time off when you are feeling burnt out can be something as simple as giving yourself a quiet weekend at home to planning a longer vacation with friends, family, or a solo destination. 

Lastly, recognize when the things you are experiencing are more than just the daily stressors in life that many people go through.

If you have low energy and fatigue for a prolonged period of time, less interest in your daily activities, loss of motivation lowered self-esteem, or are having a hard time finding any joy in life, it might be time to seek out more emotional and behavioral support from a trained licensed therapist. 

Therapists can offer compassionate judgment-free guidance and support as you work towards creating a healthier mindset and way of life. 

Kind regards