5 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR RESILIENCE AND WHY IT MATTERS
The American Psychological Association describes resilience as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress.
It feels like there are more stressors than ever. In addition to the items listed above, we now deal with pressures due to political unrest, natural disasters, mounting acts of terror, and advanced technologies that keep us connected around the clock.
Resilience has become more important than ever. While some people come to it naturally, the good news is that there are steps you can take to improve your level of resiliency.
Being resilient doesn't mean you don't feel the negativity or stress. But resiliency enables you to bounce back more easily.
5 STEPS TO IMPROVE YOUR RESILIENCE:
MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIPS - Staying close with family and friends provides a much needed support system when you are dealing with a crisis. These are your "people;" the ones who are there to listen and help you through difficult times. It's important to continually connect with these people. Like flowers, your relationships need regular watering to flourish.
HAVE HOPE - When you're stressed, it is easy to feel helpless. Hope and optimism let you believe in a happier future. Looking forward helps you focus on what you want rather than dwelling on what has happened in the past or the way you are feeling in the present.
CARE FOR YOURSELF - Taking care of yourself physically and emotionally, prepares you to be more resilient in a crisis. Exercise, eating well, and sleep are all important factors for physical well-being. You also need to make your emotional needs a priority. Find time to relax, unwind, and disconnect.
KEEP PERSPECTIVE - When in the midst of a stressful time, it can feel overwhelming. It helps to look at the event in a broader context to avoid blowing it out of proportion.
HELP OTHERS - When you help someone else in need, it makes you feel better. Taking your own adversity and finding a way to use your experience to help others can diminish your pain and suffering. Support groups help participants through difficult times through a process of sharing common experiences in a safe environment.
WHY BE RESILIENT?
Everyone needs to deal with adversity and stress, although some encounter more than others. While you can't control what happens in your life, you do have some control over how you react.
In the same way TheraFlu reduces the duration and severity of the flu, resilience can reduce the negative impact of stressful events in your life.
Do you have other ways to improve resilience that have worked for you?
Please share in the comment section below.
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