How to stay strong when times are hard – 12 ways to stay resilient

Want to learn how to stay strong when times are hard?

We’ve all heard the saying, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Life can indeed be a beautiful and incredible journey, but it can also be unbearably tough at times. I’ve personally experienced some rough patches in life and emerged stronger each time.

I know that we all experience life challenges, some more than others. Sometimes people lose money, get betrayed or ditched; our loved ones get ill or even die. No one deserves to go through devastating situations. But there is little we can do about some predicaments. 

We often hit rocks, no matter how hard we try to avoid them. Sometimes we make avoidable mistakes. This is life and there is a need to be prepared for whatever it offers us, whether good or bad.

In this exciting blog post, we will explores some of the best tips on how to stay strong when times are hard. My hope is that you too can master the art of resilience even when trying to be strong feels like so difficult.

How to stay strong when times are hard

We’ve all gone through situations or problems we dealt with in different ways. While some people are ever ready to fight difficult situations, many of us find ourselves in a confused state, sometimes because we have never been in such situation. In most cases, people only learn to be ready when they face certain situations once or twice.

The challenge of unequal mental or physical strength doesn’t stop even the weakest person from finding solutions to set things straight. Whatever happens, there are things you can do to level things up, deal with trying times and reduce challenges, no matter how hard they may look.

Now, let us explore some of the simple tips on how to stay strong when times are hard;

Recognize and Accept Reality

When life gets hard or gives you a heavy blow, one of the initial steps to staying strong is to recognize and accept reality. Trying to stay strong doesn’t mean that you should design a façade masking your emotions — it requires acknowledging the pain or stress you feel.

Concealing your pain might offer you temporary relief, but it prevents you from confronting and dealing with your reality. Instead, accept that life is full of ups and downs and that everyone finds themselves in the downs at some point. It’s the first step in picking yourself up and moving forward.

Boost Your Self-Confidence 

Nothing empowers you to cope with life’s challenges like self-confidence. It’s akin to a shield that protects you from negative vibes and an engine that fuels your resilience.

Even out any negative thoughts about your capabilities by listing and reflecting on your achievements and strengths. Additionally, engage in activities that promote personal growth and self-love. 

Stay positive and focus on the good things in life

I am pretty sure you are tired of listening to the overworked phrase, “STAY POSITIVE“. But then, no matter how overused staying positive may have become, it is still one of the best advice you’ll ever get.

You need to keep an open mind and learn how to overcome your problems. Thinking positively prevents you from getting drowned distress. Looking on the bright side of life when you go through challenges makes you stay stronger to fight.

Troubles don’t last, you can always keep fighting; positivity helps you stay focused and strong. When his is lacking, you may lose hope, give up on life, or do worse.

Keep Active 

Physical activity offers an excellent way to channel your stress and anxiety. Engage in regular exercise to release endorphins, those feel-good hormones that boost your mood and acts as a natural painkiller.

Whether it’s a jog in the park, a dance class or lifting weights in the gym, it’s all beneficial. You’d be surprised how much inner strength you can gain when you commit to being physically active.

Reach Out and Connect

No man is an island. We are wired to connect and support each other. Reach out to a supportive friend, family member, or mentor and divulge your feelings to them. Speaking about your problems can offer great relief and provide you with a different perspective.

Practice Mindfulness 

Mindfulness is about staying aware and present in the moment. When you’re going through hard times, it’s easy to ruminate on the past or worry about the future. Mindfulness helps you focus on the present, and aids in managing your thoughts and emotions.

Practice self-care and take care of your mental and physical well-being

During trying times, taking care of our mental and physical well-being is more important than ever. We must learn to practice self-care in order to stay strong.

Put yourself first and make self-care a top priority. This includes getting enough rest, eating a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and seeking support from loved ones or a mental health professional when needed.

Learn from each challenge

Going through tough times often come with learning advantages. No matter how bad things are, there’s a tendency to learn something new.

No one deserves to experience compromising or difficult situations, but trying times are not the times to stop trying! So, keep going and learn a few lessons and more.

Sometimes we set the pace for our problems. If you’ve done some things wrong, you can do the following to fix things up and learn;

• You learn from your mistakes.
• Figure out what went wrong and how you can do things in several other ways that will prevent history from repeating itself.
• Learn about new processes or steps that’ll take you through an alternative path rather than the same route you are currently dealing with.

Change what you can

Challenging situations often present you with options of fixing things up. While it’s okay to put everything in place, understand that you cannot always make everything right. Rather than try to correct all that you face, focus on the little you can change.

No matter how hard you try, there are some things you just cannot change. Most times, instead of setting things straight, you’ll discover you are getting deeply frustrated and creating more mess. Some things are simply out of our control.

Learn to let go of things that are out of your control

One key to staying strong during these tough times is to learn to let go of things that are out of your control. It’s an important lesson that can be difficult to master, but it’s a skill that will serve you well in the long run.

You cannot be in control of everything – take a deep breath, and let go of the things that are beyond your control. Instead, focus on the things that you can control, and keep pushing forward.

Embrace Positive Lifestyle Choices 

How do you look out for yourself when you are trying to stay strong? The trick is to make healthy choices concerning your diet, sleep and general wellness.

Pour love and care into yourself by fueling your body with nutritious food, ensuring you get enough sleep, and engaging in activities that bring you joy.

Cut Out Negative Influences and Surround Yourself with Positivity

Avoid negative people, toxic environments, and even habits that perpetuate negative feelings and energy. Immersing yourself in a positive environment fosters strength and resilience.

Choose to be around those who will lift you up and inspire you to keep going even when the road is bumpy. Lean on those around you to help you through the tough times. Whether it’s family, friends or even a support group, having people who believe in you can make an enormous difference in maintaining a positive outlook.

Keep moving forward, even if it’s just taking small steps

It may not seem like much, but every small step is taking you closer to where you want to go. By taking small steps, you will find that you can keep going, no matter how difficult the journey may seem. So don’t give up Keep pushing forward, step by step, and you will come out the other side stronger than ever before. That’s how to stay strong when times are hard.

Practice Gratitude 

Remember that no matter how difficult a situation you are in or how bleak things may seem, there is always something to be grateful for. Regularly expressing gratitude helps shift your focus from the negative aspects of life to the positive ones. 

Keep Learning 

Every challenging situation presents an opportunity for learning. Rather than see your problems as hurdles to happiness, perceive them as stepping stones to growth and self-discovery. Be open to the lessons that life is teaching you.

Surround Yourself With Uplifting Quotes 

Have some favorite quotes or affirmations pinned on your wall, set as a screensaver, or even written on Post-It notes in your planner. Such energetic wordings can ignite a spark of courage and determination, reminding you of your ability to conquer anything.

Practice Forgiveness

This includes forgiving those who may have caused you pain and, most importantly, forgiving yourself. Holding onto anger and resentment can drain your energy and weaken your spirit. 

Don’t be hard on yourself

When you deal with trying times, do not to be too hard on yourself. Some things happen. They are beyond our imaginations. There’s little you can do most times about them. You may be extremely careful and still make mistakes or hurt yourself.

No one wants to die, but even the healthiest people meet shocking and accidental deaths. Best you can do in difficult times is to be at peace with you and take care of yourself.

Try focusing on activities or things that will set your mind at rest. When you are at peace with yourself, you’ll be stronger to face whatever you are going through. You’ll do little about your current situation if you are mentally imbalanced.

More so, if you are nursing a sick relative or friend, they’ll need you to stay strong so it doesn’t break them further. Always remember to stay strong for your loved ones that are unhealthy.

Stay in faith

This applies to people with a religious belief. Now is the time to stay focused, believe, and have faith. While you are struggling to set things straight, pray and believe in God; according to your faith and beliefs.

Live, Love and Laugh

Finally, remember to enjoy life. Love deeply, laugh often. Keep meeting new people, exploring different places, and trying out diverse activities. Life is an ephemeral journey, each minute counts, make it worthwhile!

Remember that tough times won’t last forever

When we’re going through trying times, it can feel like the struggles will last forever. But they don’t! While it might be difficult to see beyond your current circumstances, you need to keep a long-term perspective.

In times of hardship, it can feel like giving up is the only option. But trying to stay strong is what matters most. Trying times are not the times to stop trying – they’re the times to push through and come out on the other side even stronger.

Conclusion

Life is a roller coaster filled with thrilling highs and challenging lows, but remember, no condition is permanent. You have within you right now, everything you need to deal with whatever the world can throw at you. Always keep trying to stay strong.

Instead of viewing your struggles as obstacles that hamper your life, perceive them as necessary challenges intended to shake you awake and transform you into the phenomenal individual you are destined to be.

I hope these tips serve as your compass when you feel lost and act as your beacon of light when everything seems dark. Be brave, be strong, and most importantly, believe in yourself. 

Good luck in your endeavors!