# Timing and the Navigation of Tough Times By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2024-06-06 What is one's strategy when times inevitably get tough? Does one even have a plan? If not, consider the importance of time as one develops this plan. Time is critical in two opposite ways, depending upon the severity of the stressful situation. If one experiences a particularly traumatizing event, one should immediately seek assistance to mitigate long-term mental health issues. For example, some studies have shown that those who immediately played a game like Tetris that requires significant focus saw fewer Post-Traumatic Stress symptoms after experiencing a major traumatic event. The theory is that this prevents the neural pathways around the event from forming as strongly as they might otherwise. So, the more substantial the trauma, the sooner one should seek assistance. This is not different from going to the Emergency Room if one experiences a severe physical injury. On the other hand, if the challenging situation isn't particularly life-threatening or traumatic, time tends to naturally resolve the situation. In other words, the further away one is from the event's occurrence, the less critical the event will become, and the clearer one can think about the situation. This natural process can bring a sense of hope and patience, as at the moment of its occurrence, things seem horrible, but giving it more time allows for the sting to go away and for one to consider options rationally. This is partly biological, as during stressful situations, the old-school fight-or-flight mechanisms override the logic centers of our brains. We cannot think clearly when the event is fresh. One way to turn one's brain on is to intentionally breathe rhythmically for several minutes, such as inhale for four seconds, hold for two seconds, and exhale for four seconds. The faster one finds techniques to reengage one's thinking ability, the more options will become available or the less meaningful the event will seem. It's all a matter of time and timing. #### Related Items [[Time]] [[Stress]] [[Strategy]] [[Thinking]] [[Nature]] [[Psychology]] [[Mental Health]]