How to Find Courage When You Need It the Most

Podcast Episode: Friday Fix, Episode 69

Uncomfortable emotions, like fear, sadness, anxiety, or anger, can be significant obstacles to achieving your goals. Avoiding these emotions can lead to missed opportunities, unhealthy habits, or unsatisfying relationships.

Facing uncomfortable emotions can be challenging, but it's often the best thing you can do for yourself.

Here are some tips for finding courage when you need it the most:

1. Recognize that uncomfortable emotions are a normal part of life.
   • Everyone experiences them.
2. Don't try to suppress or avoid uncomfortable emotions.
   • This will only make them worse.
3. Allow yourself to feel your emotions fully.
   • Give yourself permission to cry, feel angry, or whatever else you need to do to process your emotions.
4. Talk to someone you trust about your emotions.
   • Talking about your feelings can help you understand them better and feel less alone.
5. Practice self-care.
   • Do things that make you feel good, like exercise, spending time in nature, or listening to music.
6. Challenge your negative thoughts.
   • When you have negative thoughts about yourself or your situation, try to identify the evidence that supports these thoughts.
   • You may find that your thoughts are not as accurate as you thought.
7. Take action.
   • Once you have processed your emotions and developed a plan, take action to address the situation.

Finding courage when you need it the most is not easy, but it's possible. By following these tips, you can learn to tolerate distress and face your fears head-on.

More About the Podcast

The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health, too.