5 Things to Do When Faced with a Tough Situation

Tips on how to cope with unexpected challenges.

Wouldn’t it be great if we were fully in control of life? That way, we will just be contentedly cruising along, fully in command and sure of what’s coming next. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. In fact, if there’s anything constant about life, it’s change—one moment you’re on top of the world, the next thing you know, you’re in the middle of a pandemic and struggling to adjust to the “new normal”. How do you deal with today’s uncertainties? Hopefully, these tips will help.

Analyze the situation
You were doing well at your job when it suddenly took a nosedive—right now, these could be things like a client suddenly backing out of a certain assignment, or worse, a layoff. Instead of just overthinking or pointing fingers, consider your next steps by learning from the situation. Entrepreneur calls this a damage report. Make it your goal to understand all aspects of your situation and change your plan accordingly. What you learned will help direct your next move.

Pause for a minute before taking action
It is inevitable to feel stress, especially now that a disease—one the world hasn’t seen—is spreading globally. It is understandable to have health concerns, express worry about the future and the “new normal” and even have a hard time dealing with life in isolation.

According to the American Psychological Association, this pandemic is a time of “collective sorrow” due to the “series of losses” that people have been experiencing. Whether it’s loss of a job, a loved one, or even normalcy in our lives, this form of grief requires social support and a healthy outlet to channel emotions. Given these things, consider taking a step back before making any decisions and make sure to not just keep your health, but also your emotions in check.

Get support
Having a support group is one of the important things when it comes to overcoming difficult situations—whether it’s difficulty adjusting to a work-from-home setup, the anxiety of getting sick, or the uncertainty of the future. Support may come in the form of comfort meals with friends, company from your family, or advice from your loved ones. Having a steady support group allows you to get new perspectives, see the whole picture and effectively plan on your next steps.

Have a positive outlook
We’ve seen how some people have turned to recreating viral food trends at home, signing up for free online classes, and watching movies for free while in quarantine. In times of hardship, try to look for silver linings—the blessing that is waking up every day, having people care for you, or even the comfort that a rediscovered hobby brings. Not only does this make you happier, but being optimistic has been proven to boost your health. The Guardian reports that a positive outlook can make you more resilient, as well as increase your immunity and improve your problem-solving abilities.

Be prepared
It always pays to be prepared, especially for emergencies concerning health. We all know how costly consultations, confinement, and procedures can get, and sometimes, the expenses really shoot up. This may leave not just you, but also your family, in financial distress. One of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from the financial woes during a crisis is to avail of health insurance. AXA’s Health Start offers extensive coverage, ranging from critical diseases to guaranteed life insurance. It can cover two lives (it can be you and your spouse, parent, or sibling) in one plan, and includes flexible payment terms. This way, you can rest easy knowing that you are prepared for anything.