Life is Tough!
Resilience is intriguing and hard to define.
Why does one person embrace the tough times while another crumbles?
Having children has made me reflect as every parent does on how to protect them. In this crazy ever changing world we are always trying to stay one step ahead, and unfortunately never are! Life swings us curve balls and the one thing I have realised is one of the most important behaviours that we need, and we need to teach our kids is resilience. Life can throw unexpected challenges our way, causing stress and anxiety. That's why it's important to have resilience and coping strategies to help us navigate those difficult times.
Resilience refers to our ability to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to change. Coping strategies are the tools and techniques we use to manage stress and maintain our mental health. Some effective coping strategies include exercise, mindfulness, spending time in nature, and seeking support from loved ones or mental health professionals. By developing these skills, we can build our resilience and better cope with the inevitable ups and downs of life.
One of the most important factors in developing resilience is the role that parents play in their children's lives. Parents who model resilience and encourage their children to be resilient are helping to set them up for success in the future. This can be done by teaching children to problem-solve, to cope with stress, and to see challenges as opportunities for growth. Parents who are present, supportive, and empathetic can also help children to feel more secure and confident, which can in turn help them to develop greater resilience.
One of the problems these days as parents we don’t have as many examples to give our children we didn’t have as many distractions and things to do and play with when we were growing up. We were naturally board and boredom is one time that we naturally build resilience as it demands us to be more creative and think laterally and problem solve. We had natural boundaries that ensured that we had diversity. It allowed children to push their limits and find out what they enjoyed and nurturing it.
Of course, building resilience is not something that happens overnight. It requires consistent effort and practice over time. But by focusing on strategies that promote resilience, parents can help their children to develop the skills they need to thrive in the face of adversity. Ultimately, this can help children to become more confident, capable, and successful adults.
Resilience changes over time and across our life span when different hurdles preset themselves and we can never really tell how we are going to react to a traumatic life event. what we do know though is resilience research recognises each of the following as both facilitators and indicators of resilience in individuals (Boniwell & Tunariu, 2019; Neenan, 2018):
Reframing
Looking at a problem or situation from a different, more helpful perspective can help the individual cope.
Using the power of positive emotions
Such feelings broaden our thinking and enable us to come up with alternative strategies for solving problems more creatively. They can also improve our sense of belonging, helping us bond with supportive individuals and groups and boosting our sense of accomplishment and ideas of purposeful living.
Participating in physical activities
Being more active can help manage and reduce the impact of stress along with improving confidence and self-esteem.
Ongoing active engagement in trusted social networks
Social support from trusted friends, colleagues, and family members can leave us feeling less isolated and help us adopt a better perspective regarding what is happening.
Identifying and using signature strengths
Engaging our strengths can leave us feeling more authentic, increasing our sense of meaning and control when we take on new challenges or overcome adversity.
Looking toward the future with optimism can help us recognize that setbacks are usually temporary and surmountable, helping us feel more hopeful and positive about what lies ahead.
Healthy routines again are supported both to be proactive to help build strong mental health and wellness but also in the recovery after a traumatic event. But lets be proactive and here are some tips to improve your resilience:
Practice self-care: Take care of your physical, emotional, and mental health by eating well, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and seeking support from friends and family when you need it.
Cultivate a positive mindset: Focus on the positive aspects of your life and practice gratitude. Look for opportunities to learn and grow from challenging situations, rather than dwelling on the negative.
Build a support network: Connect with others who can offer encouragement, guidance, and support. This can include friends, family members, colleagues, or a therapist.
Develop problem-solving skills: Learn to identify and address problems in a constructive way. Break down complex issues into smaller, more manageable tasks, and seek out resources and support to help you solve them.
Practice mindfulness: Take time to be present in the moment and focus on your thoughts and feelings. This can help you manage stress and anxiety, and build emotional resilience over time.
Exercise
By incorporating these tips into your daily life, you can improve your resilience and become better equipped to handle whatever challenges come your way.
If you want to delve deeper, check out
Resilience The science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges 3rd edition