HOW TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND ADD HEALTHY HABBITS

Every time one sets their eyes on a goal, not far down the line there awaits a deterrent to the plan, waiting to jeopardize the set course of action. To say one can lead their life without any hindrances or things pulling them back is like asking the God Dolus to be just. It’s a given that one is bound to face obstacles, what is not known is how to deal with them effectively. Not to mention the fact life without problems is no life at all because then you would never really know who and how much you are. For you to not be overwhelmed by hindrances let's briefly look at the brighter side of having them.

• Obstacles push our limits.

• Obstacles allow us to know yourself better by testing how much you can handle; in most cases, you will be surprised by your ability to come back.

• For those who perform best under pressure, it’s a blessing in disguise.

To be cognizant of how to overcome an obstacle one faces, there’s a process that follows. The three A’s are the way to dive into it, that is Accept, Ascertain, and Act. Let me walk you through the process which might turn out useful for you, but before I start please remember it’s by and largely subjective, and what works for one might not for another. since there’s no bible to problem-solving, everybody’s approach to it can be as unique as are their problems.

Accept

Acceptance is the answer to most of our obstacles. You can respond to the situation by changing it or by changing the way you feel about it into a more positive one. When doing neither, it leaves a person miserable, and even more deeply into the trench. When I mention positivity, I do not mean toxic positivity, where without even trying you give into the situation thinking “it is what it is”. A positive approach is when you face reality head-on and then accept the hindrances without losing your calm at once.

Just by coming to terms with the problem a lot of it can be solved because when you don’t accept that you are facing adversity (be it on the personal or professional front) you cling onto a reality that is never there. It is just a safe zone bubble created by you that consists of counter-reality situations as to what could have been, should, or might have been instead of facing the reality without all the delusions of our minds. You don’t need to be right away sure of what exactly is going south but the fact that you acknowledge the distress will enable you to go to the next step of obtaining the problem.

Ascertain

Now that you have come to terms with the issue so the next step would be to precisely obtain the problem. If a problem is allowed to linger and instead of solving it you choose to dodge it, it is most likely to come back. Start with identifying the problem because you cannot overcome adversity without knowing its cause. As simple as it may sound it’s often forgotten that it is essential to know the root of your issues. Align your thoughts and focus on knowing the “what, why, when”. Asking the following questions to yourself will help you narrow down your otherwise deranged self into a position of dealing with the obstacle at hand.

What is the problem at hand?
 
How do I come to terms with the problem?
 
What can I do to change the situation?

For example
Situation A - if in a certain kind of stressful situation your anxiety is triggered, try to find out what are those situations. The best way would be to write down the events of the trigger.

Situation B- if you made a new ambitious routine and find yourself failing to follow it, don’t blame yourself or think of yourself as a failure instead try to see the cause of it. This could be because the routine is too hectic to follow at once or maybe because you are not a routine person. The key is to not look down upon yourself.

Act

Kudos for identifying and accepting the problem, now comes the most active part that involves a strong will to act and a defiant attitude to not give up in the process. Make a list of all your possible solutions and then choose what may work best for you. It might take a toll on you but be prepared for you when it’s over it will be all worth the effort. If your mental health is suffering do not succumb to thinking this is all in the end, instead address the problem and seek professional help if things seem to go downhill beyond measure Remember denial will only deteriorate the condition further. 

Also, try out few ways to improve your daily life.

Exercise: contrary to the popular belief that exercise is suited for a good physique only, it is quite a healthy detox for the whole body, our brains release a natural painkiller, ‘endorphin’ which relaxes our body and mind thus helping us adapt to a healthy lifestyle.

Cutting on junk food: There’s a popular saying in Hindi which goes “our mind is what our body eats”. Eating healthy not only translates into a healthy body but also a full functioning brain which in turn enables us to think clearly.

Sleep schedule: non-adherence to sleep schedule negatively impacts the metabolism of the body .as a result of which fatigue and dullness follow.

Drink water: such an easy yet missed out practice of drinking water regularly. Drinking water has an innumerable number of benefits, the primary of which is it rejuvenates our body by carrying oxygen to every part of it. This increases productivity and energy. 

Making these basic additions to your lifestyle will do wonders for you. As for the three A’s, that is the most worked approach. Working on yourself continually is the key to a happy life as it’s a journey, not a destination.