EPISODE #143- Nurturing Resilience: Empowering Your Emotional Health Amidst Chaos

Ever found yourself overwhelmed by the chaos around you, feeling powerless against the actions of others? Join me, Tamara Trotter, as I unravel the profound insight that true power lies in mastering our own responses, not in controlling the uncontrollable world. Through personal stories and practical wisdom, I explore how surrounding ourselves with the right influences and practicing self-care can shield us from the storm of negativity and mental strain.

This episode of "Win Over Depression" is a heartfelt guide to building resilience in the face of life's uncertainties. Discover the significance of guarding your heart and nurturing your spirit amidst external chaos, and be inspired to create a supportive environment that uplifts rather than drains. We'll redefine the narrative of depression by empowering you to take charge of your emotional health, cultivating a path of purpose and fulfillment. Listen in to learn strategies that promise not just survival, but triumph over the challenges of depression and anxiety.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:09

Hello and welcome. To Win Over Depression, your beacon of hope in the realm of mental health. I am your host, tamara Trotter. I am your companion on the journey to reclaiming joy and resilience, and this podcast will unravel the vital importance of managing your wellbeing amidst life's challenges. From practical strategies to uplifting stories and expert advice, each episode is a roadmap to cultivating mental wellness and overcoming the grip of depression. Whether you are seeking solace for yourself or supporting a friend, here you will find the tools and inspiration to navigate the complexities of emotional health. Join me as we embark on a transformative quest to prioritize self-care, resilience and the triumph of the human spirit. Let's together redefine the narrative of depression and embrace a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Speaker 1: 1:16

Today on when Over Depression, we'll be talking about control. So let us first define what is control. Control is the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of event. Truly, influence is probably overrated. And what do I mean by that? We really cannot control what people say or do, how they act. We can influence their decisions, we can encourage them to go in a certain direction, but we really do not have control over people. The problem, however, is that when we know that we don't have control over other people. We are still affected by their behavior, by their words, by their actions, by their inability or unwillingness to do something or their outright outrageous and ridiculous behavior and, quite frankly, those of us who deal with depression and mental illness. It is very difficult for us to successfully navigate our mental health when we are around people or friends who want to control our behavior, especially since this world has become so stormy and uncertain and we just don't know what's happening, sometimes from day to day or moment to moment. When we allow people to influence us or to do things that we may not do, we are causing ourselves to have setbacks in our mental health. We have to remember that our actions, and our actions alone, are our responsibility. It is very difficult to manage and to thrive when there's so much happening and you're not sure which way to go. That is why guarding your heart and making sure that you are around people with your best interest at heart is so important.

Speaker 1: 3:55

I learned a very tough lesson recently listening to someone who did not have my best interest at heart, and I allowed that person to infiltrate my mind long enough for me to cast doubt on a certain situation. But that is why we have to be careful about who we talk to and who we allow in our circle of influence. This particular person has not been in my circle of influence yet. I allowed for long enough this person to pour negativity into my heart and I had a setback as a result. However, looking back on the situation, I should have considered the source. We must always remember that many people who come into our lives or who may be family, we still need to make sure that we do not allow them to adversely impact our spirit.

Speaker 1: 5:10

Impact our spirit Because when we are uncertain and when we allow negative influence into our heart and mind, it increases our stress, our anxiety and worry, while reducing a sense of control and stability. Over time, these effects can lead to more serious mental health conditions, such as depression, burnout and chronic anxiety. But when we build resilience, practice self-care and develop and practice healthy coping strategies, this can help mitigate the negative effects of uncertainty on mental health. Believe me, other people may not be concerned about how their behavior and their words affect you. That is why we have to be careful, because we know about the character of some individuals, and they are many of them unfavorable individuals who are miserable and we cannot allow their misery to cause us to have a setback, and that's why we have to be careful about who we speak to and allow to pour into our spirit. I cannot stress that enough.

Speaker 1: 6:30

Have you ever heard the saying that we must control the controllables? There are so many aspects, situations and circumstances that we come across that we have absolutely no control over. We cannot control the person who cuts in front of us on the freeway. We cannot control someone yelling at you over something that isn't even worth their breath. All we can do is control our reaction to that individual. And when we are managing our stress in a world that we cannot control, we have to practice control and focus our energy on the things within our control and let go of what we cannot change and it is very true that life is so unfair in so many to take success, your abilities, your strengths, of your success. So the art of letting go is releasing the expectations that we have of others and finding our own inner peace.

Speaker 1: 8:26

Peace. When we find our own inner peace, we are able to let comments that people make roll off our back. Is it easy? Not necessarily Can we do it Definitely, but it takes a mindset shift and it takes the thought process that I'm not going to allow other people to steal my joy. Somehow.

Speaker 1: 8:46

We must find joy in uncertainty and we do that with gratitude and a positive mindset. If we can focus on gratitude and joy and think positively, we can shift perspectives and enhance our mental well-being. During difficult times, inability to cope that leads us to burnout, that leads us to believe that we cannot climb out of this quicksand. But when we are able to show the gratitude and keep the positive mindset, we should be able to get past and get through what other people place on our shoulders. So we can establish routines and structure like a morning ritual, make sure we are having consistent sleep, and these routines can anchor us in uncertain times and help to calm the often unpredictable situations that impact us. When we can practice mindfulness and ground ourselves by doing exercises like deep breathing, meditation or yoga, we can ground ourselves, which in turn will help manage anxiety and prevent emotional overwhelm.

Speaker 1: 10:43

There is so much that we cannot control, but there is much that we can control If we limit our exposure to negative information, because when we are constantly consuming news or social media, this can heighten our feelings of stress and chaos. We have to set boundaries for how much news that we will consume and instead focus our activities on what brings us peace, such as maybe reading, having a hobby, spending time with loved ones, listening to music, experiencing a comedy show or doing something that will definitely put a smile on our face. So I'm hoping that, by listening to this episode, that you realize that you have more control over your situation than you may think. Let us talk a moment about controlling our thoughts, because our thoughts is what leads to change, non-action and prevents us from doing things that we want to do. We listen to our mind that says don't get up off of the couch, Continue watching TV. You don't need to clean up or wash dishes. You can do that tomorrow, when we decide, and put things off to tomorrow. When tomorrow comes, we still don't feel like it. So we're frustrated about our circumstance, but we do not have the courage to get up and do something about it. When we exude and exhibit courage, that means that I'm going to get up and spend 15 or 20 minutes cleaning up the area around me, because it causes me stress and strain. Do it when you don't feel like it and when you turn around and look at the progress that you've made. It will, in fact, ability to act.

Speaker 1: 13:30

But we have to outsmart our thoughts by going against what is often planted inside of our heart. Sometimes we must make a concerted effort to say I am not going to allow what my thoughts are telling me to overtake my mind. There are three things that I need to accomplish today and I will get them done. When those three things are done, I will allow myself to rest and to relax, but not until they're done. When we're able to control and make a decision to go against what our mind is telling us, we give ourselves hope, we renew our spirit and we decrease our episodes of depression. Once our mind realizes that we are beginning to make a shift, then the negative thoughts and feelings will start to subside and we will begin to start thinking more positively. But it takes time.

Speaker 1: 14:51

Remember the 14 Days to Mental Health. Wellness is a course that I have will give you 14 days of instruction to change your mindset and your mind focus and get you back on track. If you're interested, you can send me an email at the end of this episode and I will get the information to you. I never want to end my podcast without thanking you so very much for listening. You continue to be the best part of Wind Over Depression and I am very thankful for my loyal, loyal listeners. Thank you for being here, for sharing this podcast with others and for making us one of the most elite podcasts on mental health today. Remember, you can find us on LinkedIn, pinterest, at TT Mental Health Expert. You can also find us on TikTok at 14 Days to Mental Wellness. You can like and subscribe to my YouTube channel, also called when Over Depression, and you can also find us on Twitter and Instagram. Thank you so much for listening.

Speaker 1: 16:05

If you are contemplating suicide, please do not take your own life. Your family, your friends, your loved ones. They will not understand and they will blame themselves. What you're doing is passing on that pain to other people. Please don't do that. Please stay here. We want you on this side of heaven. Please go back and listen to many of the other episodes on when over depression. Sleep it off, call for help, call your accountability coach or call 911, but do not take your life. Do not take your life. Remember, we must stay in the game of life because we all have a purpose to fulfill, an assignment that is just for us to fulfill. No one else can fulfill it for us. Thank you so much and I will see you next week, next Friday on when Over Depression. Take care.