How to Thrive in Chaos and Uncertainty

You can thrive in chaos. When your life seems out of control, it's easy to get sucked into a vortex of anxiety, depression, and a general feeling of paralysis. When life gets crazy, rely on a few simple practices that will allow you move beyond just surviving and help you to start to thrive in chaos and uncertainty.

The Situations Forcing Me To Thrive in Chaos

I am in the midst of an enormous life transition. In the last few weeks, my husband quit his job, we moved from Germany to the United States, and we are now living in a spare bedroom in my mom's house. To say that my life is chaotic is an understatement.

Although my life could veer out of control, given the circumstances, and in the past I might have let that happen, I have worked too hard at maintaining my mental health to let myself fall into that old trap. Instead, I am learning how to thrive in chaos.

How You Will Thrive in Chaos

In order to move beyond survival mode and start thriving in chaos, you have to make a conscious effort to do what will help you bounce back from difficulty and be your best self. I suggest that you build social capital, invest your emotional energy wisely, and make healthy choices if you want to thrive through the chaos.

Use Your Social Support System

According to science, staying connected to others when your life is reeling out of control is important, because it's helpful. Research shows that social connections serve as buffers to stress, reducing its negative effects such as depression and anxiety. These same connections also enhance positive psychological states such as a sense of purpose and self-worth. Building social capital can help you weather a chaotic time and keep you buoyed.

Invest Your Emotional Energy Wisely

When life feels chaotic, don't give in to the chaos. Channel your energy into positive and productive activities that will nurture and support you. Exercise. Go outside. Tackle a small project that's been on your to-do list. Refocus your energy on constructive actions that will boost your mood.

Make Healthy Choices

Make healthier choices; don't numb feelings of being overwhelmed. Pouring a glass of wine, bingeing on food, or withdrawing from the world will not help you (Isolation: A Double-Edged Sword for the Mentally Ill). They will hinder your progress as these kinds of choices tend to exacerbate negative feelings rather than alleviate them. Be conscious of your emotional state and make a healthy choice to take care of yourself.

Don't Just Survive Chaos, Thrive in Chaos

Jon Kabat-Zinn wrote, "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf."

These words are especially true when you are facing chaos. You can't always change the circumstances you're in, but you can change how you respond and react to them. Build social capital, invest your emotional energy wisely, and make healthy choices. By doing so, you can navigate the chaos and actually thrive.

Reference

Cohen S (2004). Social Relationships and Health. Am Psychol 59(8): 676-684.

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Image from the public domain.