Telling someone to simply tough it out when things get hard is pretty unhelpful. When you’re in the middle of a metaphorical storm, what you need is straightforward, practical advice and support, not empty ‘inspirational’ platitudes.

Something that is beyond useful is having a strong social network that has your back no matter what. When you know for a fact that you can rely on your family, friends, and coworkers when things get tough, it’s far easier to be optimistic about the future. This sort of help can be anything from literal physical help and financial support to sharing experiences about solutions to specific issues.

Another major boon that your social network offers you is empathy. You should never discount the power of having folks in your life who are willing to hear you out.

Simply sharing your thoughts and feelings with someone who is actively listening to you can help you work through the stress. And, if you’re in the mood for some advice, they might have a friendly tip or two.

However, you shouldn’t turn these venting sessions into a regular thing. You do not want to become a person who constantly dumps all of their negative emotions on their loved ones.

Put yourself in their shoes for a moment. How would you feel if all that one of your friends did was vent and rage about how unfair life is? You’d probably start avoiding them.

Your social circle is there for emotional support and advice. But solving deep-seated issues and shifting your perspective on life is going to take months or years of work with a certified therapist.

If you find yourself always moaning and groaning and bringing the mood down when you meet your friends, you may want to consider seeking professional help.

Now, this isn’t to say that you should always be happy-go-lucky around people. That’s not what we mean. Toxic positivity can be very harmful because it means sacrificing authenticity for the sake of fitting in.

At the same time, you have to be honest about how your behavior and words make the people around you feel. Always talking about how bad things are going for you is going to strain your relationships. Try to bring the focus on your friends instead of always putting yourself in the spotlight. Hear them out, too. Don’t always be the one who’s venting.

The reality is that we all have things to be grateful for in our lives, even when things aren’t going our way. Even in the worst of times, you can find a silver lining. But you need to actively remind yourself to look for it!

You could, for example, start a gratitude journal where you list a few things you’re happy to have in your life, even if everything else is a dumpster fire. Or you could start every morning by thinking about what these glimmers of light in the darkness are.

For example, you might have recently lost your job. However, you’re healthy, have a happy family, and you’re actively working to create a future for your career.

Or you might be under a lot of stress at home or in your personal life. On the other hand, you’re making strides in your creative pursuits, you’re budgeting well, and you’ve been steadily improving your diet.

We all have small wins we can turn to for a burst of hope, even in the darkest of times. This won’t solve all of our problems, but it reframes our lives and gives us a broader, more nuanced view of where we’re actually at in life.

Aside from investing in deep, meaningful, and positive relationships, you have to remember to take care of your body and mind. Get the basics right, and you’ll be better prepared to weather any disappointments and stress that life throws your way.

Get plenty of sleep. Spend time outside. Move your body. Eat nutritious food. Drink lots of water. Avoid smoking, junk food, too many sugar treats, and alcohol. Limit your caffeine intake. Get off your phone. Pick up meditation. Spend time on your hobbies and passions, not just stressing out about work deadlines and binge-watching reality TV.

Distract yourself from being disappointed by doing the things that you love and what your body craves.

Which of the situations featured in this post made you empathize with others the most, dear Pandas? How do you personally handle things when you have a run of bad luck? How do you support your family and friends when they’re going through a tough period? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section, at the bottom of this article.