Handle frustration in a healthy way. Sometimes it is easier said than done. Yesterday was a good example. My husband Mark and I had two appointments, one to the dentist and one to the doctor. By the time, I sat for each of these appointments plus lunch and the drive home, my back felt like it was flaming.
I can usually shake off the arthritis pain to a manageable level once we get home, but nothing I tried worked. The heating pad, ice pack, extra medication, nothing was working. The only thing I could do was go to bed and hopefully, things would be better in the morning. Thankfully, the worst of the pain went away.
Are you feeling frustrated? You may be experiencing chronic arthritis pain or just be frustrated with all the irritations that come your way. Before I retired, I was frustrated with my job, being evicted from my apartment, and trying to slap on a happy face when I felt like my world was tumbling down around me.
Handling frustration in healthy ways is an ongoing challenge. That’s because when we’re frustrated, we tend to react rather than respond. The good news is there are natural, healthy ways to deal with your frustration.
Acknowledge Your Frustration
The first step in dealing with anything is to accept the reality of it. Once you’ve acknowledged you’re frustrated, you can do something about it, and it no longer rules your life.
Write in Your Journal
This has really come to my rescue so many times over the years, and if I don’t journal regularly I get very crabby and out of sorts. You can buy a fancy journal, use a lined tablet, or if you have arthritic hands like me, you can journal on Microsoft Word or Notepad.
It’s for your eyes only, so don’t hold back any feelings whether they are negative or positive. It seems like a big weight is lifted off of you and you feel a lot calmer.
Watch or Read Something Funny
Read something funny. Watch a comedy. Tune in to your favorite comedian. The act of laughter releases endorphins in the brain, helping you to feel better and think more clearly. Frustration doesn’t stand a chance.
Hang with Some Positive People
You can either look at the glass as half full or half empty and positive people are always looking at the glass half full. I have had positive people in my life, and I always hated to leave them because they made me feel so much better about dealing with whatever situation I was in at the time.
Look at the Big Picture
What will this frustration look like next week? Next month? Next year? Will it be as scary as it is today? Asking these kinds of questions helps you to put your frustration in perspective, making it smaller and easier to deal with right now.
Read Inspiring Biographies
Biographies are my favorite books, and I was especially inspired by Kirk Douglas. Kirk wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth and experienced his share of poverty.
He talks about having to line up for food, which most people would have considered slop. The line moved slowly and just as he was about to make the head of the line, they ran out of food.
Nonetheless, he kept moving forward and became a famous actor, who made millions of dollars. What a success story!
Focus on Something Else
Doing mindless, repetitive work helps to put your focus elsewhere. Break your frustrating task into tiny pieces and work each one with full concentration. Knit a sweater, sort a basket of laundry, or bake something yummy in the kitchen.
Summary
Frustration is a necessary evil and you will experience plenty of it in your lifetime. It will take some trial and error to reduce feelings of frustration but remember it is all part of your personal growth journey.
