Are you feeling down in the dumps and need a little boost of hope? Look no further! Here are 5 helpful ways to choose hope this week and start feeling better today. From practicing gratitude to setting goals and taking small steps, these tips will have you feeling more optimistic and positive in no time. So why wait? Let’s get started on choosing hope!
1. Practice gratitude: Taking time to reflect on the things that you are grateful for can help to put things into perspective and remind you that there are still good things in your life, even in difficult times. This can help to foster a sense of hope. Personally, I am grateful for the people in my life that love me in spite on of all the reasons I give them not to. Which brings us to #2…
2. Connect with others: Surrounding yourself with supportive people who care about you can provide a sense of connection and belonging, which can be a powerful source of hope. Consider reaching out to friends, family, or a support group (such as a church) to share your struggles and receive encouragement.
3. Take care of yourself: Self-care is important for maintaining physical and emotional well-being. This can include activities like exercise, getting enough sleep, eating well, and engaging in activities that you enjoy. Taking care of yourself can help to boost your mood and give you the energy and resilience to keep going, even when things are tough. Don’t think you need to do all of these things at once. Pick one and get started. I have partnered with my 9-year old as a workout buddy. He keeps me honest and motivated to take care of myself even when I would rather not.
4. Set goals and take small steps: It can be overwhelming to think about all of the things that you want to change or accomplish in your life. Instead, try setting small, achievable goals for yourself and taking things one step at a time. This can help to build momentum and give you a sense of accomplishment, which can in turn foster hope. Going back to #3, I have employed this very model. Instead of saying to myself, “I want to lose 25lbs,” I am broke it down. It started with, “I want to workout with my son 1 today.” Tomorrow, it’ll be the same goal. Before I know it, I will have worked out a week with him, then a month, and so on. If I combine my eating habits in a similar way, one meal at a time, then I will lose that 25 pounds.
5. Seek professional help: This really could have been #1. It is that important. If you are struggling to find hope on your own, consider seeking help from a mental health professional. A therapist or counselor can provide you with support and guidance as you work through difficult emotions and experiences. They can also help you to develop coping skills and strategies for building hope. As a pastor, I feel an important point needs to be made. Unless your pastor has a degree in counseling, they are NOT qualified to give you professional mental health advice. That is why I said “professional” help. A pastor can be a great listening ear. They can give you spiritual guidance that can help you move toward hope, but most of us are not able to give you the tools you need to help overcome a mental health crisis. So I will say it louder for the people in the back: SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP IF YOU NEED IT!! God gave us the gift of these professionals. Accept the gift.
That’s it for our helpful tips on choosing hope this week! I hope that these ideas have inspired you to take action and start incorporating more hope into your life. Remember, it’s important to practice self-care, connect with others, and seek professional help if you need it. And above all, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the journey. Here’s to choosing hope and feeling better today!
StainedGlassRebel 