Everyone experiences stress within their lives. Dealing with it isn't always easy, but what really determines our outcome, is how we handle those moments. Here are ways you can start embracing those difficult times with a little more grace:

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Acknowledge your feelings

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We as human beings can sometimes let our emotions get the best of us. During stressful times, we allow ourselves to push away how we feel, thinking that would help us solve our problems quicker--but it doesn't. Ignoring your emotions can be very bad for your overall health.

As children we were constantly reminded of phrases such as “suck it up,” or “get a grip,” which were meant to make us “stronger,” but in turn, made us weaker. A lot of negative emotions are present during stressful occurrences, and how we deal with them is by acknowledging that they are there. Journaling is one way to help us process the emotions we are having; and doing so will help us embrace the challenge with a self-aware mind.

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Keep an open-mind

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Speaking of the mind, having an open-mind is also important when it comes to embracing life's curveballs with grace. Saying things like, “I'll never get this assignment done on time,” or “she probably doesn't care that I am struggling with this,” are examples of us jumping to conclusions on matters we haven't openly discussed.

When you find yourself behind on an assignment, or in a situation where you are on the receiving end of negativity--having that open-mind and considering the idea that “that person may be having a rough day,” or “I believe my teacher would help me if I asked" saves you time from stress and shows that you are using your intelligence for the betterment of yourself.

Stay Positive

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The reactions we have to unfortunate events can influence how we go about solving them and moving forward. It is normal for us to be angry, sad, or anxious about the stressful encounters we have. After taking the time to acknowledge your anger, sadness, anxiety, etc. take some more time to think about the positives in life.

What have you done that has made you smile recently? What are you looking forward to after this event passes? Focusing in positive things; even if unrelated to your circumstance, can help you relax your mind, body, and spirit to aid you in solving your problem.

Kindness is Key

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Self-love and self-care are so important when it comes to dealing with the stresses of life. This means that treating ourselves with kindness and choosing to think before we speak can have a positive impact at how we view the situation we are currently in. Being kind to yourself looks like positive affirmations, taking a mental health day, or even practicing mindfulness.

Being kind to others is also plays a role in dealing with everything as a graceful person. Showing positivity to others during negative times can helps us remember or even recognize the positivity that is in our own personal lives. Despite feeling down, choosing to smile at others, or genuinely compliment someone is a key necessity to dealing with our own stressors.

Conclusion

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It’s no doubt that everyone has those moments of unwanted events and you may feel down. Remember that our actions and words have power and they influence how we perceive the world; but it is important to remember that taking a step back and embracing life’s difficult moments with a little more grace will alleviate the stress and get you off to a better day.