Are you facing a difficult life event or emotional issue? There are steps you can take to get through it. You can also take a self-assessment to see if you could benefit from more help. To learn how we can help you deal with personal and workplace difficulties, contact us at 815-753-9191 or employeewellbeing@niu.edu.
When facing an unexpected event or crisis, it takes time to fit what happened into your new reality. Pause for a moment. Be still and take a deep breath. Write down what steps you need to take first. Then, take it one step at a time.
During times of stress and grief, it's hard to hold back your feelings. And that's OK. Your feelings are normal. By recognizing and accepting them, you'll feel more in control. Practice owning your feelings, taking care not to hurt yourself or someone else by lashing out.
Maybe you don't need advice; you need to feel heard. Share your story with a good listener. It will help you process what happened. You'll start to let go of your expectations for how things should be and accept how they are.
Follow your daily routine as much as possible. You'll find a sense of control and comfort in making everyday decisions and taking familiar actions. Try not to make major decisions or changes at this time.
During a crisis or period of high stress, you won't be as productive as usual. Be gentle with yourself and accept your limits. Give yourself extra time to get things done. In time, your ability to focus will return.
Get six to nine hours of sleep a night and eat healthy foods. This will help heal your body and boost your energy and concentration levels. If you have trouble falling asleep, try listening to peaceful music or doing progressive relaxation.
Recognize that some problems are beyond your control. If something can't be changed, try to accept it for what it is. If you're having trouble letting something go, try writing about it in a journal.
To take a break from stress, focus on relaxation. Relax your body, shut your eyes and breathe. Listening to guided meditation exercises may help. You can also try distraction. Lose yourself in an exciting movie or book or take a short trip.
These self-assessment resources and quizzes can help you decide if you have an issue that needs to be addressed. If so, contact us. We can provide support and refer you to other resources when needed.
We provide consultation, personal problem coaching and support regarding personal and workplace difficulties that are interfering with your emotional well-being. We may also refer you to community resources as needed.