Life can present challenges that can shake us to our core. Just like a strong and sturdy maple tree that can withstand, weather, and adapt to a storm, people have a similar power in the face of adversity. Resilience is a quality that we all contain in some way, shape, or form. For some, resilience is easy to access; for others, it can be harder to find. Resilience is also a skill that can developed and strengthened over time. Just like the maple tree, we can reinforce our roots and enhance our resilience through some key strategies or skills. These skills focus on developing important areas such as: self-awareness, coping strategies, supportive relationships, self-care, and finding meaning in our struggles. Keep reading to explore some of these key principles for developing and enhancing resilience.
Human resilience can be compared a sturdy maple tree standing strong against a raging storm. Despite its strength, the tree bends and sways in the wind. Some of its leaves and branches are broken in the wind. By the end of the storm, the tree still stands tall. Its roots are still firmly planted in the ground, providing the strength to combat future storms. In many ways, our resilience is like the resilience of the maple tree. Just like the maple tree, we can feel damaged and pushed around by the life’s challenges. And like the tree again, we have the ability to keep standing in the face of adversity. In fact, through adversity, our minds can strengthen and develop new pathways, much like the roots of the maple tree that expand and form new segments underground.
Resilience is part to the human condition; we all contain some resilience. Like most other human experiences and characteristics, resilience looks different from everyone. For some, resilience is easily accessible. For others, resilience lies hidden away. For everyone, it is a skill that can enhanced and developed over time.
But how, exactly, can we enhance this important characteristic? Finding small ways to make healthy and positive changes in our life can help support the accessibility and strength of our resilience. We can develop our resilience by exploring the following areas: self-awareness, coping strategies, a supportive environments and relationships, self-care, and finding meaning in our struggles.
These unexpected challenges, setbacks, and crises can have a huge impact on our lives. This could take the form of health concerns and diagnoses, job loss, and relationship struggles; these storms have the power to leave us feeling overwhelmed and powerless. Life transitions can present similar challenges. Life transitions are inevitable, marking shifts in our journey that test our resilience. Whether it’s changing careers, moving, or facing loss, life transitions challenge our ability to pivot and adapt. Navigating these transitions, however, can work to flex our muscle of resilience, making it more accessible during those unexpected hurdles.
But what exactly does resilience look like in practice? Let’s explore some key principles that can help us harness resilience in our own lives:
Self-Awareness – Knowing and understanding yourself is an important element of resilience. It allows us to know our strengths and weaknesses and recognize which emotions are coming up for us. Self-awareness also supports our ability to recognize negative thoughts or thinking traps and catch them in their tracks.
Coping Strategies – Having tricks and skills in your toolbox can help support you get through challenging times. Some healthy coping strategies include engaging in activities that bring you joy, like exercise, art, writing, crafting, spending time outdoors, cuddling animals. Other strategies include reaching out to friends or taking time for self-care.
Supportive Relationships – Carving time out of your day to connect with friends and family can be a great way to increase resilience. Having such a network can be a great support during times of need. Prioritizing quality over quantity is useful as well. That is, taking the time to really connect with those around you.
Self-Care – Prioritizing yourself by finding time for self-care can help increase resilience. Self-care can include grand gestures like getting a massage, having a pedicure, or going on vacation. It can also include small gestures like listening to your body and taking a rest when you feel tired. Self-care is really about tuning into your needs, and giving your body and your mind what they need.
Finding Meaning and Purpose – Within every storm lies an opportunity for growth. While hard to see sometimes, reframing negative situations with a positive twist can help foster growth and resilience. The maple trees lost branches will be replaced by new branches, and the debris can help other animals build shelters.
We all have resilience within us. When life and storms become too challenging to weather, seeking professional guidance can support in fostering this resilience. With in-person and online counselling, therapy services are more accessible than ever. Some therapeutic spaces offer other self-care services, which further support resiliency. To find one of these spaces, simply search for a total health clinic. Reaching out is the first step because your mental health matters.