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Emotional Wellness

Maintaining Hope

Hope is defined as the feeling of wanting something to happen and the belief that it could happen; it is desire combined with anticipation of success.

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​Hope exists on a spectrum somewhere between guaranteed outcome and wish. Within hope is the understanding that the outcome is at least partially outside of our personal control. Conversely, we are encouraged by the prospect that we still have some control in the situation.

​When we hope, we defiantly challenge our negative thoughts. Yet, hope does not require optimism, as you can feel pessimistic and still hold on to hope. Hope not only provides us with a goal, but also encourages and motivates us to work towards and believe in the potential for successful outcomes.

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​Hold on to your hope, and in hopeless moments surround yourself with those that will hold on to your hope for you

Strategies for Maintaining Hope 

  1. Why is Hope Important:

    1. 10 Reasons to have Hope -  Susan Mary Malone 

    2. Maintaining Hope - canceradvocacy.org

  2. Find Hope Holders:  When you feel your hope slipping, find those that will help hold onto your hope for you.

    1. 10 Ways to Find Hope When You Have Cancer - WhatNext.com

    2. Ways to Maintain Hope in ​Recovery - RecoveryConnection.com

    3. Maintaining Hope in the Face of Depression - Velveteen Rabbi

  3. Find a clear path:​​  Being able to see how the steps you are taking will lead to desired change is critical to having hope.

    1. Finding Hope - Psychology Today

  4. Find Positive Support:

    1. 5 Tips for Maintaining Hope in Hard Times - Sixthdimension.com

    2. Maintaining Hope Through the Cancer Journey - College of Family Physicians of Canada

    3. 4 Things You Must Remember To Maintain Your Hope In a Hopeless Situation - SelfGrowth.com

  5. Keep a Gratitude Journal:

    1. The Benefits of a Gratitude Journal and How to Maintain One - Huffington Post

    2. Gratitude Journal: 67 Templates, Ideas and Apps for Your Diary - Positive Psychology Program

    3. Turn Pain to Joy: 11 Tips for a Powerful Gratitude Journal - Tinybuddha.com

    4. How to Write a Gratitude Journal for Mindfulness - Dummies.com

  6. Perform an act of Kindness​​:  Doing acts of kindness can have a dramatic effect on your mood and outlook. Kindness triggers the release of serotonin, so it has an anti-depressant effect. It also calms stress and helps reduce pain.

    1. Why kindness is good for you: Dr. David Hamilton at TEDxHackney

    2. The 5 Side Effects of Kindness - drdavidhamilton.com

    3. 6 Science-Backed Ways Being Kind Is Good for Your Health - quietrev.com

    4. The Importance of Kindness - psychologytoday.com

  7. Practice Mindfulness​​:  Your thoughts may naturally wander to the past and focus on events that didn’t work out or other situations that were painful. That will often add to your depression and hopelessness.  Mindfulness helps bring us to the present moment. 

    1. Benefits of Mindfulness - HelpGuide.org​

    2. Soft Calm Music: Meditation Music, Peaceful Music, Stress Relief Music (Light of Hope) - YouTube Jason Stephenson

    3. Finding the Pause Between Breaths - Yogaru.ie

    4. Mindfulness and the Breath - thebreathproject.org

    5. 22 Mindfulness Exercises, Techniques & Activities for Adults - positivepsychologyprogram.com

  8. Talk To Survivors:  

    1. Finding Hope: Livestrong.org

    2. Melanoma Connect Facebook Group

    3. Melanoma Wellness Canada - HealthUnlocked

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