Last week I posted part 1 of overcoming adversity with some tips on how to navigate through difficult circumstances. In part 2 of this post, I will offer a few more methods of dealing with the hard times and obstacles we all face in our lives.

 “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.”  -Horace

 Find a passion

The quote above suggests that adversity has a way of bringing out the best in us in the long run.  I think this is true when you experience difficulties but choose to make something good out of it anyway.  In other words, when you are having a hard time, a great way to improve your mood and general outlook on life is to channel your energy into a positive activity.  So if you are having a rough time, take your mind off the situation by trying new things, starting a new hobby, or doing service for others.  Whatever it is you feel passionate about, focus on that instead of your trial.

Remain present

A lot of the times the issues we are worrying about have actually not even happened, and for that matter, may not ever happen. Despite this fact, it is still so easy to get caught up in what could go wrong and then let it ruin your day.  That being said, remaining in the present moment is not an easy habit to pick up. However, living life this way would make everything so much simpler. Just think about how much stress would be eliminated from your life if you never worried about future events that may or may not occur.

 The human race as a whole would be far better off if we all just took a deep breath, slowed things down, and focused on one thing at a time instead of so much multitasking. For example, when you are eating lunch, try to avoid answering emails, finishing up a project, or stressing about your meeting later that day, just sit back and enjoy the tastes and smells of your food. Studies have even shown that multi tasking causes you to be less productive, less efficient, and more stressed.

Be grateful

Even though sometimes life is hard and sometimes appears unfair, remaining grateful for the good things in your life is essential to getting past hardships. This is one of the most healing techniques you can incorporate into your life if you want to immediately feel better. Recent studies have shown that grateful people tend to:

• take better care of themselves
• exercise more often
• eat a healthier diet
• have improved mental alertness
• handle stress and daily challenges better
• feel happier and more optimistic
• have stronger immune systems

1. So just remember the next time you experience a trial, to find a passion, live in the moment, and remain grateful! Also, please feel free to share any experiences or trials you have overcome through the techniques listed here or others. All of us could use more advice on overcoming adversity!

The fundraising for my Spinal Ride event is in full effect so if you want to donate, know of a business that may want to sponsor, or have a rich aunt looking to help out a good cause, either leave a comment or email me at Kris.sanford7@gmail.com. You can also donate through the donate tab on www.spinalride.com .