Life is uncertain. One minute, you’re going along, doing what you always do, and the next, everything has come crashing to a halt. Now you’ve been left floundering, and everything in your life has become overwhelming. You’re experiencing upheaval, and you don’t know what to do.

Thankfully, there are several things you can do right now which will help you gain a clearer head and a better ability to cope, regardless of the disaster. Try these quick tips to help you regain your equilibrium:

Put on the Brakes

When things leave you feeling you’re running in all directions at once, you do not need added responsibility. It’s time to start protecting yourself by saying ‘no’ when asked to shoulder more. It is you taking control where you can.

Vary Your Day

It’s easy to do whatever feels comfortable when you’re in upheaval. Let’s face it, you want comfort, and something is soothing in repetitive activities like watching TV, snacking obsessively, or sleeping. Even good things, such as working through your inbox, exercising, or cleaning the house, can become unhealthy if that’s all you do. The goal here is to mix up your schedule. Only allow a set time for each activity before you need to switch to something else.

Drop the Device

Speaking of obsessive, set the phone aside. You don’t need to keep checking social media or your text messages. Give yourself a break. More often than not, the feedback of others is only going to invite you to obsess about the crisis and not offer much in the way of solutions.

Be Kind

Attitude is everything. If you’re feeling the disaster, start looking for ways to be more helpful to those around you. Doing this takes your focus off your negativity and builds positivity in someone else’s day, with the side benefit of raising your mood simultaneously.

Take Care of You

When you become disaster-focused, it’s effortless to neglect yourself. Now more than ever, you need to eat right and get enough sleep. Taking time for yourself will help you reduce some physical strain an upheaval can cause. Also, feeling better can lower anxiety and stress.

See Your Future

Grab a mental picture of where you want to be in the future. Hang onto this image. By reminding yourself you’re going to get through this and be able to accomplish your future goals, you’re acknowledging the current situation is temporary.

Unfortunately, you can not solve every upheaval. Most upheavals are out of your control from the moment they hit. On the other hand, you do still have the ability to control your actions and the steps you take afterward. By practicing these techniques, at the very least, you will feel stronger and more confident about your next steps. It’s here where you’ll find peace of mind.

Until tomorrow,  stay safe, and keep the faith.