Have you noticed that everyone handles stress in unique ways? What triggers one person to feel anxiety doesn’t bother someone else. How you manage uncertainty and irregularities in life depends on various factors, such as your inherent personality, your past experiences, and your current environment.

The fact is that uncertainty is, and always has been, a part of life. In today’s society, living in a post-pandemic world, the extreme political climate, the economy, and global violence have added severe anxiety to millions of people’s lives.

Although factors like your past and your core self aren’t anything you can change, there are a few ways you can use things that are out of your control to better your life.

Since you can’t predict the future or change other people, consider these benefits that uncertainty can bring so you can start to embrace instead of fear the unknown.

1. Your Empathy Can Increase

Uncertainty increases the ability to empathize with others because it creates a sense of vulnerability and a shared experience. In other words, you understand how it feels to be anxious about uncertain issues. No matter how you handle them, you’re most likely handling them better than someone else in the same situation.

Because you know what it’s like to feel weak and afraid, you don’t want others to experience that same anxiety, and you may use your past uncertainties to help them. When we are uncertain about the future or facing difficult challenges, we often seek support and understanding from others. This shared struggle allows us to better understand and relate to the emotions and experiences of those around us who may also be going through similar uncertainties.

Additionally, uncertainty can create a sense of humility and open-mindedness, as we realize that we don't have all the answers or control over the situation. This can lead to a greater willingness to listen and empathize with others, as we recognize that everyone is navigating their own unique challenges in life.

At the same time as your empathy for others builds, so does your kindness to yourself. You recognize through sharing your experiences that you are stronger than you realized. You begin to build up more confidence that you can handle uncertainty in the future, and when stresses occur, you have more patience with yourself and how you handle them.

2. You’re Pushed Out of Your Comfort Zone

Sure, you don’t like it when it’s happening, but stepping (or being pushed) outside of your comfort zone occasionally is an excellent way to grow. Or, as your parents probably said, it builds character.

When you’re stressed, it triggers your fight-or-flight response. Constant trauma, such as is experienced through abuse and neglect, conditions this response to respond to the smallest of threats, even when you’re out of that environment. That type of uncertainty requires professional help, and that’s not what we mean when we talk about using uncertainty to build character.

Instead, we mean those situations where you had to give a presentation in front of your peers or where you got lost but made it home safely. What did you do to get through those short but scary scenarios? What would you do differently next time if you had to do it over again?

Each time you leave your comfort zone and come back safely, it helps you grow. The next time you deal with a similar uncertainty, your fight-or-flight response isn’t as easily triggered. Over time, you develop the confidence to start purposely trying new things, which enhances your ability to respond better to pressure and stress.

3. You Start to Recognize Your Triggers

There’s no way to avoid everything that stresses you. Becoming more self-aware will help you identify the patterns or situations that tend to trigger strong emotional responses. This can be done through self-reflection, journaling, or even seeking feedback from trusted friends or family members.  Given enough time and willingness to learn about yourself, you begin to recognize the things that cause you unnecessary anxiety and a blow to your mood.

For example, many of us scroll through social media when we’re bored. But if your feed is full of people you feel like you can’t compare to, or negative news and comments, that habit is draining you. If you must scroll, unfollow the news outlets that always share depressing stories. Unfriend (or at least shut off the thread for) people who don’t share your views or are always complaining.

Limit your contact to your triggers, including news, people, and places. It’s not always easy, especially if it’s your family member or work environment. However, by refusing to talk about the trigger when you’re not around it, you can limit its effect on your mind and body. It is also important to create a supportive environment and surround yourself with positive influences that can help in managing or avoiding your emotional triggers.

4. You Realize It’s Okay to Get Help

When you’re listening to others and trying to help them through their issues, don’t you often think, “Wow, they need more help than I can give them”? That realization leads to your recognition that it’s okay to get help.

Many people refuse to ask for help because they see it as a sign of weakness. But it’s not easy to manage stress on your own, especially when it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.

When you’re ready to ask for help, reach out to your doctor or look for a mental health therapist. Common ways to handle anxiety and uncertainty include counseling, prescription medication, and natural medicines. Most states now have legal, medical marijuana prescribed for anxiety and depression.

Keep in mind that if you buy cannabis from a store instead of a dispensary, you may be getting THC or PHC in strains that aren’t recommended for stress. Get your doctor’s advice to ensure you’re using the best marijuana for your needs.

Conclusion

Facing uncertainty is a part of life. Embracing it is a choice. Now that you understand the benefits that these challenges can bring you, try to look toward your next uncertain event with the knowledge that you’ll get through it, and you’ll be stronger on the other side.

About the Author:

Prince Kapoor is a seasoned Marketing Analyst and Blogger at ViralChilly. With his skills, he has been helping fellow marketers and brands worldwide

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