3 Steps To Escape Your Mental Storm

A ‘mental storm’ can hit us when several different negative ideas come to mind at the same time. It is so strong that it seems to completely shut us down and freeze us. It is as if we suddenly can no longer see what is in front of us. We feel completely surrounded by pessimistic, discouraging, irritating and depressing thoughts.

A mental storm sometimes happens after a very difficult experience, such as losing a job, a breakup, or some other form of disappointment. In other cases , it occurs after we have been trying to endure negative situations for a long time. We don’t feel comfortable with how our lives are going and there comes a time when we can’t take it anymore and all hell breaks loose.

It is a state in which we allow ourselves to be taken over by pessimism. We feel like we don’t have the strength to continue. We just give up and feel petrified. It is normal to succumb to a mental storm at some point in your life. When it presents itself, there are three steps you can take to help yourself escape it. Let’s take a closer look at this.

1. Observe the mental storm and keep calm

Think of a real meteorological storm. When it comes, the first thing we do is seek refuge. And this is also the only thing we can do initially. Once we have found a safe place, we can often observe the storm safely. Although we are surrounded by the storm, we can observe it from the outside.

The same should happen with a mental storm. The first thing we need to do is find a safe place within ourselves: a state of serenity. To achieve this, the best advice is to take a deep breath in and out for about 15 minutes. If possible, take a short walk, breathing slowly as you walk.

The next step is to take in everything that happens. What are all those ideas and thoughts that enter your mind during the mental storm? Write them down. Make a list, but don’t think about them. Just write them down. For now there is nothing else you need to do.

2. See what options you have

Once you’ve calmed down, look for the light that shines behind the clouds. You have the list in front of you, but you are not yet in the process of escaping your mental storm. Just observe and see if there is any way you can get out of your current state.

In other words, you have to look for a way to improve your current situation. The question you need to ask yourself is: What can I do to make this all better? Don’t focus on anything else. Concentrate on the here and now. Don’t try to find medium and long term solutions.

What you need right now is not to solve all your problems, but to find a way out of the mental storm. What do you need? What does your heart long for? A hug? A song to motivate you? What exercise? Eating something you love? Whatever you want in that moment, give it to yourself!

3. Get started

Once you’ve determined what will really comfort you in that moment, don’t wait any longer. Just go for it. Do what you have to do and do it fast. If you hesitate, you will only feel worse. The more time you let go, the harder it will be to escape the storm. Just follow your instincts!

During a mental storm, we experience a minor breakdown. Our thoughts and emotions no longer allow us to see things as they really are. Instead, we see a distorted picture. Everything looks much more serious and difficult the moment we are in the storm. But the world isn’t really like that. We perceive it that way because our mental storm has robbed us of our hopes and flooded us with fears.

That is why it is important to escape the mental storm as quickly as possible. You need to regain your composure and take back control. In moments like these, don’t think about anything else, just focus on yourself. Leave the rest for what it is. Your mind and your heart are telling you to pause and analyze what is happening. Listen to what your inner voice is telling you. Every storm has an end, and once over you will see things completely differently.