To the positive in all of us...

“Love hoarded dwindles, but love given grows.” Love is more powerful than money; unlike money, the more love we give away, the more we have left. Traumatic events throw our lives into turmoil in unpredictable ways, no two people will respond to them in exactly the same manner. Many people will find ways to meet the challenge and continue with purposeful lives. For a period after their ordeal, they may become distressed, but in time they will bounce back and carry on. Many of us will be struck by one or more major traumas sometime in our lives. Perhaps you were in a serious car accident. Or maybe you are among the millions who have suffered a debilitating disease, lost a loved one, or lost a job. At the end of the day its about how we find our way back.

What’s Resilience?

In the physical science, materials and objects are termed resilient if they resume their original shape upon being bent or stretched. In people, resilience refers to the ability to “bounce back” after encountering difficulty.

Ten key ways to weather and bounce back from life’s setbacks:

·       Optimism: belief in a brighter future.

·       Facing fear: an adaptive response.

·       Moral compass, ethics and altruism: doing what is right.

·       Religion and spirituality: drawing on faith.

·       Social support: learning the Tap Code.

·       Role models: providing the road map.

·       Training: physical fitness and strengthening.

·       Brain fitness: challenge your mind and heart.

·       Cognitive and emotional flexibility.

·       Meaning, purpose and growth.

“Rather than seeing themselves as victims of a terrible and mindless fate, resilient people and groups devise ways to frame their misfortune in a more personally understandable way, and this serves to protect them from being overwhelmed by difficulties in the present.” How to progress from victim to survivor?

·       Face facts – accept what has happened.

·       Choose life – live for the future, not in the past.

·       Reach out – connect with other survivors.

·       Get moving – set goals and take action.

·       Give back – service and acts of kindness empower the survivor to be an asset rather than a victim.

Having resilience is incredibly important. Here’s why:

·        It helps you manage stress and regulate emotions during difficult times.

·        It allows you to maintain a positive outlook and remain motivated despite setbacks.

·        It provides you with the capacity to overcome trauma, adversity, and challenges.

·        It enables faster recovery from struggles and develops mental toughness.

·        It fosters optimism, hope, and a sense of meaning.

·        It promotes better academic and career success.

In many ways, resilience gives you the mental strength and fortitude to withstand and confront life’s curveballs. The good news is, that resilience isn’t a fixed personality trait — it can be strengthened and developed with practice.

Cultivating a Resilient Mindset

Developing resilience begins with cultivating a resilient mindset. Adopting certain attitudes and ways of thinking can help you become more mentally hard in the face of obstacles. Here are some tips:

Adopt a Growth Mindset

Having a growth mindset is key to building resilience. This involves viewing challenges, setbacks, failures, and adversity as opportunities for growth rather than signs of permanent inadequacy. Embrace a “no pain, no gain” mentality.

Reframe Negative Thoughts

Reframing involves challenging pessimistic thoughts and choosing to view situations through a lens of possibility and hope. Ask yourself “What’s good about this challenge?” and “How can I grow from this?”

Be Adaptable and Open to Change

Flexibility, agility, and openness to new approaches are key traits of resilient people. Don’t stubbornly cling to only one way forward — be willing to adjust your plans and seek out opportunities amidst change.

Exercise Gratitude

Gratitude shifts attention away from negative emotions and towards the positive, even during trials. Appreciate what you have — it builds psychological resilience.

You’ve got this!

It often is said that positive thinking is good and negative thinking is bad. The student preparing for an exam, the athlete heading into the competition, and the patient facing a life-altering diagnosis are told to “think positive.” Are there benefits to thinking positively? The answer is yes. A growing literature confirms that expectations for the future have an important impact on how people respond in times of adversity or challenge. Expectancies influence how people confront these situations, and they influence the success with which people deal with them. Building resilience is a transformative journey that empowers you to navigate life's ups and downs with courage and resilience. By incorporating these techniques into your daily life, you can cultivate the inner strength and adaptive skills needed to bounce back stronger from setbacks. Remember, resilience is not about avoiding adversity but about harnessing your innate potential to thrive in the face of adversity. Embrace the challenges as opportunities for growth, and you will emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient than ever before.

For professional support, talk to a mental health expert at Heart It Out today!