Do you sometimes wish you were more able to bounce back from difficulties? Do you wish life didn’t ‘get to you’ so much?
Resilience is a process of adapting well in the face of adversity. Science tells us that we can increase our resilience by developing mental and physical habits to help us deal with stress and be flexible in the face of setbacks.
These Resources are available to all of us, they are our birthright. Sometimes we need a little pointer to remember how to access them and develop them.
Here are 5 top tips to help you cope
1 Socialise
Resilience isn’t about toughing it out or going it alone. In fact, being able to reach out to others for support is key to resilience. High levels of social support after returning from war are associated with significantly lower levels of long-term anxiety disorder. The same is true for new mothers, widows and unemployed. Bonding provides security: we know we are safer in the tribe; consequently, we feel stronger and recover quicker.
2 Think flexibly
Flexible thinking is even more useful than positive thinking. If we only think along habitual ways, we will tend to get habitual results. Instead of focusing down on the worst that can happen, train yourself to look up at the best that can happen, and look around at what’s the most likely outcome.
3 Meditate
Even just 10 minutes a day of meditation or mindfulness can support a more balanced view of life. Meditation encourages us to live consciously in the present rather than dwelling on the past or fantasizing about the future. This helps us respond to life creatively instead of reacting in habitual ways.
4 Welcome Optimism
Optimism and positive emotions are strongly linked to good mental and physical health, even longevity. We can build these emotions by focusing on the positive parts of our experiences. Think about it: what would happen if you spent as much time dwelling on the positive aspects of your day as you do focusing on the negative ones?
5 Do something scary
We can inoculate ourselves against stress with graded exposure to increasingly difficult challenges, so as to learn gradually how to handle bigger challenges. This can apply to any activities that increase physical, emotional and mental resilience. We increase our confidence by having experiences outside our comfort zone. By slowly increasing the difficulty, you will gradually widen your coping zone and increase your quality of life.
GET A TASTE OF YOUR OWN RESILIENCE:
Embodied Resilience 6 weeks Online Course starts end of October: find out more here
Free One hour resilience Workshop: 19th October: Register here
Stephanie Betschart practices at Enso Healing rooms in Bristol and Online in Herefordshire and Monmouth. Contact 07731784254 or stephanie@embodied-heart.co.uk
