Lately, it seems like life has been in the fast lane. With so much going on in the world today, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. So, how can we combat these feelings? Building resiliency can be one of the best ways to protect ourselves. Three important factors empower resiliency: connection, wellness, and healthy thinking. These vital components help us withstand and grow from difficult experiences. It is truly amazing how human beings adapt to life-changing events, traumas and life stressors. Developing resiliency can be a personal journey. It is fundamentally built on human connection, overall wellness and positive thinking.
According to an American Psychological Association article titled “The Road to Resilience,” resilience is “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats and significant sources of stress — such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems or workplace and financial stressors.” Essentially it is how humans bounce back from stressful conditions. So what is the secret formula to resiliency? Resiliency is built through gratitude and compassion. Practicing gratitude and compassion toward ourselves and others increases our ability to handle life’s most stressful moments. Whether resiliency is innate, learned or adapted, it is like building a muscle; it takes time and intentionality.
Connection
With the practice of gratitude and compassion, we can work to build connection by prioritizing trustworthy relationships with individuals who validate our feelings. One-on-one relationships, or even joining a group, can help us navigate away from isolation and into healthy socialization.
Wellness
Fostering wellness in your life by taking care of your body and mind through exercise, good sleep, hydration, healthy nutrition, stress reduction and release of emotional tension can work wonders for building resiliency. A habit of mindfulness through a spiritual practice of your choice, such as yoga, meditation or even mindful journaling, can restore compassion and gratitude. Developing an awareness of how much we expose ourselves to negative media or unhealthy relationships can be insightful. We want to limit our exposure to negative situations that can alter our positive attitude.
Healthy Thinking
Monitoring our thoughts on a regular basis can be so insightful. It helps us identify irrational thoughts and ways we can better interpret and respond to these thoughts. Accepting change is difficult, and learning to accept situations we cannot change can free our mind and help us see situations that are changeable. Also, leaning from past situations can help us see how we have responded previously and what might be the best approach moving forward.
With resiliency, we have the ability to navigate stressful circumstances with flexibility and balance. Increasing our compassion and gratitude allows us to trust in our own abilities. So, the next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, take a moment and practice some gratitude and compassion toward yourself and others.
Angela Gray Salyers, MA, MS, LPC, is business development coordinator with Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services. Learn more at www.pinegrovetreatment.com.
Coping with everyday stress
“It’s OK to treat yourself with kindness, in fact, it’s better for your mental health. The use of harsh and negative self-talk will not motivate you to do better or get more accomplished. It actually demotivates you and makes it harder to accomplish things and feel good about yourself.”
Amy Preston, licensed professional counselor and owner of Soul Balance Counseling