How to Cope When Bad Things Happen

Even with extreme luck, depression may still creep in and spoil things. Life is filled with ups and downs...

Depression
March 21, 2025

Even with extreme luck, depression may still creep in and spoil things.

Life is filled with ups and downs, and each individual has their fair share of them.

What matters is how you react to these unfortunate situations; thus, it is crucial to learn ways to cope when bad things happen.

One way of coping is to figure out what you can do.

Avoid focusing on negative emotions such as depression, sadness, pain, or anger when things don't go your way.

It is better to think of ways to solve the problem immediately and get back on track.

Also, you can cope by avoiding the replay of old events that caused your depression.

Holding on to the past can create room for depression to dwell.

The mind tends to hold on to these memories because you have not truly healed from them.

The habit of replaying and overthinking your bad experiences is a bad habit you need to stop.

Similarly, there's a lot to learn when faced with life difficulties.

Picking up on your mistakes and learning from them will allow you to see the positive side of every depressing situation.

Continue reading this overview to gain deeper insights into healthy and effective ways to cope with depression when bad things happen:

Figure Out What Can be Done About the Depression

As humans, our first reaction when faced with difficulties is to lament and complain. It is okay to feel these depressing emotions; however, it is more important to think of solutions as soon as possible.

Figuring out what can erase the depression is an excellent way to cope when bad things happen.

You need to realize that your dissatisfaction and annoyance won't solve anything if you don't kick into action.

To start, give yourself some time to regulate your depression.

You need to feel to be able to think and act.

Set a timer, take a deep breath, and calm yourself down.

After you take time to yourself to get a clear head, carefully assess the situation.

Ask yourself questions like "when did this happen?", "what caused it?" and "what can I do to fix it?".

If you think you could have handled the situation, you might begin to feel regret; however, keep focused on what you can do instead.

The next step is to kick into action immediately.

Regardless of how many hurdles you face,

take the first step.

Starting from somewhere kicks you into action and helps you with your problem-solving flow.

Avoid Replaying Old Events

Overthinking and replaying old events is very unhealthy, and you should make an effort to desist from it.

Note that replaying old events and assessing the situation is different from obsessing over the negative past and getting depressed.

If you want to learn to cope when bad things happen to you, avoid replaying old events.

You tend to worry over past painful situations when you have not fully accepted what happened.

Accept that it is alright to make mistakes and let bygones be bygone.

Be kind to yourself as you remind yourself that it is okay, thus, allowing your mind to heal.

When memories of painful events creep in to depress you, try to distract yourself.

Focus your attention on something fun and relaxing.

Engage yourself in activities you do for comfort but do it in moderation—don't overwork yourself.

Similarly, your mind might linger on painful experiences because you regret not speaking up for yourself.

This is a crucial point in deciding whether to go back and address it or let go.

Connect with your inner emotions, think thoroughly and make the right decision for yourself.

Pick Up Life Lessons

Your mistakes don't define you or make you who you are. You simply did not know better.

When you make a mistake, you get a learning opportunity to make the correct judgment and act rightly when faced with a similar situation.

Seeing whatever comes your way as life lessons will teach you to cope when bad things happen.

When you make certain decisions and get a bad outcome, you need to acknowledge the wrong decisions you made.

You can only learn from your bad choices if you see them as what they are; bad choices.

Take some time to self-reflect on the choices you made.

Purposely looking inwards will allow you to realize where you got it wrong.

Self-reflections give you insight into your lifestyle, how it impacts your choices, and the results you get.

After introspecting, apply the lessons you have learned to your current reality.

Continue to practice what you have learned till you see improvements.

You can also keep track of your progress by having an accountability partner.

Grieve

Whether you are suffering from depression because you lost a loved one, pet, or opportunity, it is vital to allow yourself to grieve.

Although the pain you get from loss can be immensely crushing, you can truly heal when you allow yourself to face your feelings.

Grieving is one way to cope when bad things happen.

Expressing how you feel could go a long way in your grieving process.

You can write down how you feel in a journal if you can't bring yourself to talk to someone.

Try to let out your depressing emotions however way you can.

As difficult as it may be, get back to living.

Moving on can be a challenging stage in your grieving journey; however, returning to your routine can help.

Doing the things you used to do will enable you to become reconciled with your loss.

Equally, you should always look after your health.

Your mind can heal faster when your body is in good condition.

You should also avoid using drugs or alcohol to make yourself feel better.

A woman with tears in her eye and a piece of cloth covering half of her face.

Accept Support

Whatever depressing circumstance you might be facing, someone out there is going through something similar.

While the amount of depression, pain, anger, or regret you feel can differ, accepting support from people who can relate helps you cope when bad things happen.

Also, it is okay to let people know you are not okay.

You don't have to explain what happened to you and how you feel in detail.

Simply telling someone close to you that you are not okay is enough.

When bad things keep happening to you, it is easy to accept them and get used to the feeling.

Understand that nobody deserves to go through depressing moments; so, seek comfort with a friend when you do.

You can attend outings, go to the movies, go to the park, take a hike, or do other exciting activities with someone you are comfortable with.

If you don't have friends, you could sign up for support groups where you get to talk about your feelings with people with similar experiences.

No matter what you are going through, you are not alone.

You only need to reach out.

Conclusion

Often in life, bad things happen, things don't go as planned, and depression creeps in. We need to make the decision to pull through and remain happy despite the circumstances.

Learning ways to cope when bad things happen allows you to overcome depressing emotions and become mentally and emotionally stronger.

The ways include figuring out what to do, grieving, accepting support, avoiding the replay of old events, and picking up life lessons.

Resources

https://www.bridgestorecovery.com/blog/how-to-ask-for-help-when-youre-depressed-5-tips-for-reaching-out-and-finding-treatment/

https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/mental-health/a26887/ways-to-stop-dwelling/

https://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/counselling/how-to-cope-life-is-crazy.htm

https://medium.com/wholistique/how-to-cope-when-bad-things-keep-happening-to-you-65247120603a

https://www.heysigmund.com/when-bad-things-happen-how-to-survive-thrive-and-never-look-back/

https://www.livinglocurto.com/coping-tips-when-bad-things-happen/

Author
Jennifer Luttman, LPC, ACS

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.

Common Questions about Depression

What is Depression?

Depression is a mental disorder (a common one) that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.In this section, we will discuss the various types of depression, including major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder.Gaining a deeper understanding of your depression is the first step in finding the right treatment and support.

I don't want to ruin the holidays for my family by being sad all the time. What can I do?

It's important to remember that you are allowed to grieve however you need to, and that doesn't mean you have to ruin the holidays for everyone else. If you need to take a break from holiday festivities, do so. Go for a walk, take a nap, watch a movie—whatever you need to do to take care of yourself. You can also try talking to your family about your grief ahead of time and asking for their understanding and support.

Are there natural remedies I can use to manage my depression?

Yes! There are many effective natural remedies that may be beneficial in managing depressive symptoms, such as participating in regular physical activity, changing your diet, getting adequate sleep, practicing relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation, journaling about your feelings/thoughts/emotions, seeking out social activities/support groups with other individuals struggling with similar issues

What are the benefits of therapy for treating depression?

Therapy provides many benefits for people battling depression. Research has shown that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly effective in managing depressive symptoms. In addition, therapy can teach healthy coping skills and provide emotional support during difficult times. It may also be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan which includes medication as well as lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and improved nutrition.

How long does depression counseling typically take?

The duration of depression counseling varies for each individual, depending on the severity of their depression and their progress in therapy. Our therapists will regularly assess your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed.

How can I tell if my depression is serious enough to seek professional help?

If your symptoms of depression have been persistent and interfere with your daily life, it's important to seek help from a mental health professional. It's also a good idea to get medical advice if you experience any thoughts of self-harm or suicide.