Growth can come through talking in tough times.
- The emotional pain and distress you are experiencing can feel overwhelming and debilitating.
- It can seem endless and makes it hard to see a different or brighter future.
- At Lifeline we are hopeful that listening can help. We hear from people in crisis every single day and know how hard it can be. We don’t judge, and we don’t minimise your pain.
- Lived experience stories often highlight that through talking and connection, growth is possible after experiences of pain and distress. Through talking in tough times, it is possible to develop self-knowledge and self-compassion, see new possibilities and discover inner strength you didn’t know you had.
- We do support you in finding your strengths again and to identify who or what might be helpful to support your next steps.
- We are here to listen and let you know we care.
“It's really important that you recognise that what you're going through is not a journey you have to do alone”
Chris’s story of holding on to hope
Growth through
talking in tough times
While the pain, suffering, and confusion in tough times can seem endless, talking things through can help you to learn about yourself, leading to a new sense of who you are and appreciation of life.
In many situations, talking through tough times can help people to:
- find a new sense of meaning - for example, empowering or helping others, creating change, or connecting with new interests or passions.
- relate better to others - for example, connecting deeply with people with shared experiences, becoming more compassionate and caring, appreciating care and respect in others.
- discover personal strength - for example, discovering an inner resilience, self-reliance and self confidence from dealing with hell and coming out the other side.
- spiritual change - many people discover a stronger spirtual understanding or connection with their secular or religious beliefs and faith.
- appreciate life more fully - for example, having a greater appreciation for your own life, the things you value, and clearer priorities about what’s important to you.
When you are feeling overwhelmed with emotions
Manage your response to stress
When you are in crisis or feeling overwhelmed, looking at ways to manage and reduce your stress levels can help you feel more hopeful and resilient. Strategies like guided imagery, yoga, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can be beneficial in reducing your body and minds response to stress. Find what works best for you and prioritise these activities to get the support you need.
Focus on things you can control
When you are coping with difficult feelings or events you may feel powerless and hopeless which can be both overwhelming and frightening. Ways people cope with these difficult experiences will vary – what works for one person will not for another. For some people, focusing your attention on the things you can control can help. This might include making large tasks smaller, writing a list and making sure you stay focused on things you can do. Whilst so much is out of your control, focusing on what we can control may help to manage distress.
Practice Self-care
Find something that fills your cup or distracts you from distressing feelings can help you feel less overwhelmed. Having a routine or strategy to comfort yourself when you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed may also support you. Going for a walk, writing in a gratitude journal, meditating, or relaxing with a weighted blanket can promote hopeful feelings.
Painful and difficult emotions can be scary but learning how to accept and tolerate these feelings can be helpful. You might want to talk with someone you trust about how you’re feeling as a first step so you can better identify your feelings and look at options to get the support you need.