Make connections. Good relationships with close
family members, friends, or others are important.
Accepting help and support from those who care about you
and will listen to you strengthens resilience. Some
people find that being active in civic groups,
faith-based organizations, or other local groups
provides social support and can help with reclaiming
hope. Assisting others in their time of need also can
benefit the helper.
Accept that change is a fact of life. You can’t
control other people or situations, but you can control
your reactions to them. Focus on what you can change and
be ready to adapt when change is inevitable.
Move toward your goals one day at a time. Develop
some realistic goals. Do something regularly — even if
it seems like a small accomplishment — that enables you
to move toward your goals. Instead of focusing on tasks
that seem unachievable, ask yourself, "What's one thing
I know I can accomplish today that helps me move in the
direction I want to go?"
Look for opportunities for self-discovery. People
often learn something about themselves and may find that
they have grown in some respect as a result of their
struggle with loss. Many people who have experienced
tragedies and hardship have reported better
relationships, greater sense of strength even while
feeling vulnerable, increased sense of self-worth, a
more developed spirituality, and heightened appreciation
for life. That which doesn’t kill you, will make you
stronger!
Nurture a positive view of yourself. Developing
confidence in your ability to solve problems and
trusting your instincts helps build resilience.
Keep things in
perspective. Even when facing very painful events,
try to consider the stressful situation in a broader
context and keep a long-term perspective. Avoid blowing
the event out of proportion. Remember, everything is
impermanent, even problems.
Maintain a hopeful outlook. An optimistic outlook
enables you to expect that good things will happen in
your life. Try visualizing what you want, rather than
worrying about what you fear.
Take care of yourself.
Pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Engage
in activities that you enjoy and find relaxing. Exercise
regularly. Taking care of yourself helps to keep your
mind and body primed to deal with situations that
require resilience.
Journal. Sometimes
writing about your deepest thoughts and feelings related
to trauma or other stressful events in their life helps
to put things in perspective. Writing your inner most
thoughts and feelings will also help to diffuse
negativity.
Meditation and Spiritual Practices help some
people build connections and restore hope. Deep
relaxation breathing provides a relief when you are
feeling “stressed out” or “out of sorts.”
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