As we know, life is a rollercoaster ride full of high and lows. Everyone has their own strategies for managing challenging periods of their life, some may be valuable others can be less so.

I wanted to share with you 4 proven strategies that have been majorly beneficial. This strategies have enabled me to manage any challenging period in my life whether it has to do with my career, health, partnerships, friendships or family situations. These strategies have helped me to rapidly shift my mindset, feel more motivated and inspired and move forward more quickly.

1. The Great Outdoors

I immediately feel a mindset shift when I go for a brisk walk and listen to music /a podcast or go for a swim. There is something to be said for exploring the world on a hot summers day and to feel the wind in your hair.

Whenever I venture outside, it helps me to receive ideas, feel more inspired, confident and feel the fire increase in my belly.    The warmer weather is definitely my favourite time of year.

“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”― Ralph Waldo Emerson

2. Music

Whether I am happy or sad or anything in between, music is the game changer for me. In fact, I have trouble sitting still when I hear an awesome song even if I am walking down the street or talking to others. I feel compelled to get up and dance.

Dancing and singing around my living room or in a nightclub clears away the cobwebs, I forget everything and pay no attention to anyone when I am dancing as it makes me feel so happy and alive. Music has gotten me through absolutely every challenge I have faced in my life especially when I was younger so much so I could even sleep with music on all night long.

As Plato explains: “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”

3. Gym 

The gym has always been my second home and gives me strength, motivation and happiness. I feel happiest when I am strong, healthy and fit.

The gym helps keep my body in shape yet also shifts my mindset into a better place irrespective of what is happening in my life. When I was younger and my family were going through a difficult time, I encouraged my sister and my mum to join the gym and they absolutely loved it. They ended up becoming addicted to achieving outstanding fitness results.

Being together made out workouts so much more fun and highly entertaining. Lot’s of laughs at the gym, that’s for sure.

“Exercise is king. Nutrition is queen. Put them together and you’ve got a kingdom”. – Jack LaLanne

4. Family

I don’t know what I would do without my family. My mum and my sister are insanely strong women and give me an awesome kick and pep talks as required. My sister is a lawyer so her communication skills are off the charts. Direct, honest sometimes brutal conversation and always at the most perfect time. They have this incredible ability to read people, they know a liar, cheat, or a nasty person from a mile away.

It is absolutely impossible to stay down for too long in my family as they force you to get the hell back up irrespective of the level of challenge or lack of understanding of the situation. I love direct, honest conversations – none of these mind games, passive-aggressive BS, subtleties or being ‘nice’. I always prefer people not waste my time, tell me straight or don’t bother.

I know the importance of having family support as I have seen far too many young ones have absolutely no family support and they often struggle through life, having no-one to turn to. This can be really tough on young ones as they feel so lonely and isolated with no-one to turn to for support, love, and/or guidance. If you have family support, it is important to appreciate them and know you are exceptionally blessed as it is not always a given.

“Family and friendships are two of the greatest facilitators of happiness.” –John C. Maxwell

I hope these strategies help you manage the challenging periods in your life. Leave a comment below about the strategies you use to get through challenging periods in your life.