Resilience
Lissa Coffey
Resilience is a quality that can get us through many of life’s challenges with grace. When my kids were young and I was active in CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders) I was lucky enough to meet Robert Brooks, PhD, a psychologist on the faculty of Harvard Medical School with a private practice near Boston. Dr. Brooks defines resilience as “the ability to respond to tough situations with inner strength.” Here are some tips on how we can start developing the ability to be resilient:
– Focus on what you have control over, not on what you have no control over. It’s kind of like the serenity prayer – we need to learn the difference, and recognize it. Some things we just have to let go of.
– Make connections. We all have the need for community, for a support system. We can find this in a club, a cause, a church, or any kind of a group where we can make friends.
-Be of service. Volunteer. Contributing to society gives us a feeling of purpose, and that helps us to build resilience.
-Stay fit. Body, mind, and spirit. Eat healthy foods, exercise both mentally and physically, and spend time in nature and in silence. Get into good habits.
-Express gratitude. Every day, count your blessings. Keeping a gratitude journal is a good way to do this. Gratitude helps us to keep things in perspective, and this is important with resilience.
-Pursue your passion. We have the desires we have for a reason. And we can use these to help us learn and grow. Doing what we love brings joy, which boosts our resilience!
The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence, and Personal Strength in Your Life