We are so used to seeing tragedy in the news that it can be a huge shock when it happens directly to us. But life is full of ups and downs, and you will inevitably suffer some tragedies along the way. So, if you are going through a tragic situation at the moment or you simply want to prepare for the time when it does, we are going to talk you through just a few of the ways that you can channel your response in a more positive manner.
Be Patient with Yourself
It takes times before you can fully process an emotional tragedy of any kind. Rather than trying to push yourself into dealing with it before you are ready, you should try to take a step back to make sense of what has happened. You may find that you are overcome with emotions one minute and numb the next. Healing is not a process which can be rushed, so you need to take the time to ensure that can fully accept what has happened rather than shutting the door to your emotions.
Accept What You Can’t Change
There is no doubt that it is extremely difficult to accept what you can’t change when you go through a tragic situation. There is always a temptation to replay what you have gone through again and again in your head. But none of us can go back and alter the past as much as we may want to. And people also have a tendency to apportion blame in a tragedy. While there may be times when others need to be held to account, there are other times when this will simply not lead to satisfaction.
Establish Something Positive
It could be that someone you love has died from a particular condition and you decide to set up a foundation in their honor. It may be that you want to follow the example of the survivors of the Parkland shooting who looked at school shootings and why they keep happening and decided to embark on a national campaign. Though you can’t alter what has happened in the past, you could respond to a tragic situation by vowing to make something positive come out of it.
Practice Self-Care and Self-Compassion
Though it may sound like a cliche to say it, this is a time when you need to take each day as it comes. As well as being kinder to yourself mentally, you can also look after yourself physically with a daily regime of exercise, healthy food, and plenty of rest.
Surround Yourself with Support
Your social network of friends and family will play a big role in helping you to overcome what you have been through. So, make sure that you spend as much time as possible with the people who provide you with genuine help and support, as well as cutting back on the negative influences in your like.
So, there you have five ways which can help you out enormously when it comes to responding to a personal tragedy.
