What to Do When You’re Losing Hope in Life

Are you in a state of despair and hopelessness? You don’t have to let go of everything. Here’s what to do when you’re losing hope in life.

It’s almost impossible to find someone who has not faced a moment of hopelessness in their life. There are many circumstances that can lead to someone losing hope in life and feeling there is no answer to their problem. When this occurs, it’s important to have an outlet.

We live in a time when the number of suicides is on the rise. The truth is, the US is experiencing the highest it’s been in decades.

There are many contributing factors that lead to depression and feelings of isolation. When you start to feel that all hope is gone it’s time to speak to someone. It’s important to always understand you’re not alone in your struggles.

There are people available to help you cope with your situation. If feelings of hopelessness are something you encounter periodically, there are things you can do to cope and overcome the moment.

Have you lost hope? Keep reading for tips on what you can do when negative thoughts begin to engulf you.

What Does Losing Hope in Life Mean?

Losing hope in life is a feeling that no matter what you do, things won’t get better. Sometimes it’s a reaction to something bad happening in your life. In these instances, the problem is temporary.

Examples of temporary hopelessness include:

• Job loss
• Financial problems
• Breakdown in relationships (divorce, break-up)
• Death of a loved one
• Not reaching a personal goal
• Bullying

In a temporary loss of hope, it helps to engage in activities that take your mind off the problem.

There will also be instances where losing hope in life is a constant feeling of defeat or inadequacy. People experience depression in different ways. These feelings can be deep-rooted and require the help of a professional.

Be Honest About What’s Bothering You

The best way to address feeling as if you have no hope is to face it head-on. The first step is to acknowledge you’re not feeling like yourself. Oftentimes there are changes in your mood, your routine, and your energy levels.

People who are normally energetic, have trouble getting out of the bed in the mornings. Activities that you love no longer excite you. When friends call to ask if you want to hang-out you isolate yourself and don’t answer their calls.

As soon as you recognize you’re withdrawing from life as you know it, be honest with yourself. Acknowledge what’s bothering you and ask yourself why.

Write down what the problem is and then list the ten worst things that can happen if the problem doesn’t resolve itself. Next, ask yourself what can you be doing to change the situation. Outline the steps needed to get back on track.

Journaling is a good way to keep yourself honest about how you’re feeling. Try to make at least two entries per day. Go back and reread what you wrote and notate if things are getting better.

Connect with a Local Church

Having a religious affiliation is a great way to deal with losing hope. Sometimes attending weekly bible lessons can keep you encouraged.

The importance of the church is multi-layered. Not only does it provide spiritual teaching it also introduces parishioners to scriptures that can encourage and inspire people during dark moments in their lives.

Here are other reasons being a part of a church community is beneficial.

Access to a Spiritual Leader

Pastors aren’t there just to deliver a sermon on Sunday mornings. They also provide one-on-one spiritual counseling to church members. If the pastor feels the issue is beyond his scope, the church usually has resources they can provide to members in crisis.

Meet New People 

When you’re feeling like you have no hope it’s good to surround yourself with people. Being a part of a congregation gives you that opportunity. Attending Sunday service is an uplifting experience that can make you feel better.

Engage in Various Ministries

Churches have individual ministries for members to join. Some of them are interest-based. If you enjoy singing, being in the choir can be uplifting. People find that being around young children improve their overall outlook on life. Consider volunteering in the youth ministry.

Service Takes the Focus Off What You’re Going Through

Community service is another way you can deal with hopelessness. Serving people that are less fortunate than you are can be an eye-opener. You’ll see that what you are going through can be a whole lot worse.

Enroll In a Group Exercise Class

A feeling of lost hope could be rooted in undealt with stress. The more stress that builds up the worse you’ll feel. Over time stress can affect your mental health.

Engaging in group activities and being around other people can relieve stress and get you back into a healthy frame of mine. The local gym or fitness center often hosts a variety of group courses. The local YMCA is another source and their classes are probably less expensive.

Here are the perfect classes that can help relieve stress when you have no hope or motivation.

Yoga – Can help you relate, relax, and release.

PUMP Body Class – Gets the blood flowing and is a great stress release The high-energy high-impact class will raise your energy levels.

Spin Class – Another high-energy class helps you to challenge yourself both mentally and physically.

Water Aerobics – Water always has a calming effect. If you’re lucky there may be a class offered at an outdoor pool on at the beach.

Write Yourself Daily Affirmations

Positive daily affirmations are reminders of the things that we love about ourselves and the things we want to accomplish. When you make a conscious choice to put things in writing, you’re training the brain to see things as though they already exist.

When you tell yourself there’s nothing to be hopeful about, you need to counter those negative thoughts. Ways to do this is to reinforce the opposite of what you’re thinking.

For example, if you constantly tell yourself you’re not good enough, research popular quotes on being adequate. Write them down and place them in a visible place where you can read it throughout the day.

In the era of smartphones, there are positive affirmation apps that can help you stay uplifted and encouraged. These apps help you by sending positive messages once a day or throughout the day.

Do Things That You love

Although you love a certain activity, when you’ve lost hope, it becomes a struggle to do the things you love. Recognizing this is exactly what the doctor ordered. You can fuel yourself into getting up and getting back to things that bring you joy.

The task can encompass hobbies like sewing, gardening, painting, or baking. Press through your depression and be intentional bout creating something for yourself because you deserve it.

The thing you love could also be something you enjoy watching like a favorite sports team or musical performances.

Perhaps it isn’t a task you love but a person. Being away from our parents or siblings can cause anxiety. Plan a trip to go and be in their presence. A hug from your parents is food for the soul when you are losing hope and thinking about giving up.

Join Group Therapy

Group therapy sessions teach individuals how to cope with temporary situations. They are highly recommended when someone is dealing with grief during the loss of a loved one.

The sessions help hold people accountable for their healing. You’ll learn how to come to terms with what’s causing you to lose hope. You’ll also learn coping mechanisms you can use when you are alone and feeling overwhelmed.

Group therapy sessions are overseen by licensed counselors. The counselor leads the discussions and encourages the participants to engage in the process.

An important aspect of group therapy is seeing that you are not the only person going through what you are dealing with. Having the ability to sit in a room with people that truly get what you are feeling deep inside can be therapeutic.

It’s also more likely that you’ll feel comfortable speaking about your issues in front of strangers who really get what you are going through.

Have a Complete Physical

Sometimes the feeling of hopelessness is not stemming from depression or something mental. Changes in the body and hormones could be a direct cause.

Illnesses like Thyroid Disease can lead to depression. There are also medications that t that can impact your psyche. Who would ever things that birth control pills could bring on bouts of hopelessness?

Insomnia is another cause. Not getting a good night’s rest can have you feeling down. Sleepless nights are not always about stress. Something else could be affecting your sleep patterns.

Making an appointment for a complete physical that includes blood work will show if you have underlying health problems.

Speak with a Mental Health Professional

When all else fails it’s time to seek the services of a mental health professional. This is someone is either a psychologist or a psychiatrist. The feelings of losing hope in life may be the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain.

In this case, the doctor will make a diagnosis, and layout a treatment plan. In some instances, this will include medication to treat depression. Depending on the severity of the situation the medication could be long term.

Being diagnosed with a mental condition is not the end of the world. There are people who learn to manage the changes through continued therapy, changes in their diets, and by eliminating drugs and alcohol usage.

The important factor is educating yourself on what the doctor says is at the root of the problem. Following their plan, whether it involves therapy, medication, or both.

Keeping a positive attitude amidst whatever, you are going through is important.

Tell Your Family or Friends How You are Feeling

Too often when people lose hope that makes the decision to keep it to themselves. It may be a conscious decision born from a fear of being judged. Or you may be too embarrassed to share what’s happening in your life.

it’s important to have a strong support system. Find one or two people in your inner circle that you can trust with your deepest hurts. Let them know that you are losing hope and having trouble coping with a personal issue.

Sometimes we put unnecessary stress on ourselves worrying how people will view us in our weakest moments.

Before revealing what you are experiencing, ask that the person keep what you are saying in confidence. Ask is they are able to assist you with what you are going through. If not, ask if there’s a family member or friend they would recommend you speak with.

A person whose opinion you value or someone that you find comfort with can be a big ally even if they don’t have the immediate answers.

Utilize Your Company’s EAP Program

Most companies offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). This is a service to help employees deal with situations in their lives that are impacting their mental wellbeing.

The services are confidential and basic counseling is typically free. You can talk with trained professionals who will provide guidance on how to deal with what you are experiencing.

if you feel the services are not adequate in addressing your needs, you can ask for a referral to see someone with more expertise in what you are dealing with.

Don’t Give Up Five Minutes Before the Storm Passes

When you’re going through a tough time it’s difficult to see the light on the other side. Things seem ten times worse than they really are. Losing hope in life is never a good thing. We hope that these suggestions help you get through the tough times.

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