Building Resilience to Navigate Life Challenges
Guest article contributed by Audra Stewart-Gordon, Community Health and Communications Coordinator
Life may not come with a map, but everyone will experience twists and turns, from everyday challenges to traumatic events with more lasting impacts, like the death of a loved one, a life-altering accident, a devastating natural disaster, or a serious illness. Each change affects people differently, bringing a unique flood of thoughts, strong emotions, and uncertainty. Yet people generally adapt well over time to life-changing situations and stressful situations—in part thanks to resilience.
Psychologists define resilience as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress—such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or workplace and financial stressors. As much as resilience involves “bouncing back” from these difficult experiences, it can also involve profound personal growth.
While these adverse events, much like rough river waters, are certainly painful and difficult, they don’t have to determine the outcome of your life. There are many aspects of your life you can control, modify, and grow with. That’s the role of resilience. Becoming more resilient not only helps you get through difficult circumstances but also empowers you to grow and even improve your life along the way.
Want to build more resiliency in your life? Here are 8 steps that could help.
Accept Change. Find ways to become more comfortable with change.
Become a Continuous Learner. Learn new skills, gain new understanding and apply them in times of change.
Take Charge. Take charge of your own career and your own development.
Find Your Sense of Purpose. This helps you to assess setbacks within the framework of a broader prospective.
Pay Attention to Self-Identity. Know yourself, apart from your job.
Cultivate Relationships. Develop and nurture a broad network of personal and professional relationships.
Reflect. Reflection fosters learning, new perspectives, and self-awareness.
Skill Shift. Reframe how you see your skills, talents, and interests
If you find yourself needing more assistance with the challenges you or your loved ones are facing, please check out our available resources at http://www.healthyacadia.org or http://www.strengthenme.com