Six Ways to Build Resilience in Uncertain Times

Has 2020 kicked your butt?

It kicked mine in ways I didn't expect. The only thing that has made me feel okay about everything that 2020 has been is that I know all of humanity is going through this together. I also appreciate that some people have things much worse than I do. That has motivated me to actually be helpful to others, rather than complain about what's happening for me. 

Resilience is a powerful weapon against uncertainty in life. Let's face it, life is always uncertain. It only seems certain because all of us have created the illusion of certainty. We have schedules, routines, homes, and day to day trappings that can make us all feel like there's some kind of certainty. It's all an illusion.

On September 20, 2012 I had my illusion of certainty shattered in ways I never expected. My came home and found my husband not well, extremely not well. I called the paramedics and they did what they're trained to do. I prayed for a miracle. When it was clear none was coming I was told by the paramedics that my husband had passed away and by the time I came home to find him he had been dead for some time.

How does anyone deal with this kind of news? I felt the ground underneath me give way. I wanted to scream but no screams came. My body went numb. In time I would recover from this tragic loss. I have learned alot along the way about being resilient.

Why am I sharing this with you? To remind you that any of us can have our world shattered. And any of us can choose to rebuild ourselves up from nothing. Here I want to share some ways to build resiliency so that when life gives you a nasty surprise you can weather the storm with some grace.

Importance of Self Care

Get enough sleep and exercise, and learn to manage stress. When you take care of your mind and body, you're better able to cope effectively with challenges in your life. There are so many benefits to taking care of yourself. The better your own personal health is, the easier it will be to manage life's challenges and setbacks.

Awareness is Key

Practice thought awareness . Resilient people don't let negative thoughts derail their efforts. Instead, they consistently practice positive thinking. Also, "listen" to how you talk to yourself when something goes wrong – if you find yourself making statements that are permanent, pervasive or personalized, correct these thoughts in your mind. Having a meditation or some kind of awareness practice will go a long way towards helping you to catch negative thinking and course correct. Many people aren't aware of how many negative thoughts are clouding their experience of the world. The ability to be able to turn off negative thinking or shift it is a super power. 

Your Response Matters

Choose your response. Remember, we all experience bad days and we all go through our share of crises. But we have a choice in how we respond; we can choose to react negatively or in a panic, or we can choose to remain calm and logical to find a solution. Your reaction is always up to you.

Perspective is Everything

Maintain perspective. Resilient people understand that, although a situation or crisis may seem overwhelming in the moment, it may not make that much of an impact over the long-term. Try to avoid blowing events out of proportion.
If you don't already, learn to set effective personal goals – it's incredibly important to set and achieve goals that match your values , and to learn from your experiences.

Build Confidence

Build your self confidence . Remember, resilient people are confident that they're going to succeed eventually, despite the setbacks or stresses that they might be facing. This belief in themselves also enables them to take risks: when you develop confidence and a strong sense of self, you have the strength to keep moving forward, and to take the risks you need to get ahead.

Importance of Strong Relationships

Develop strong relationships with your friends, family and colleagues. People who have strong connections are more resistant to stress, and they're happier. The more real friendships you develop, the more resilient you're going to be, because you have a strong support network to fall back on. (Remember that treating people with compassion and empathy is very important here.)

It takes time to incorporate these habits and skills to build resilience. It will make challenges in life easier to cope. Will it make challenges disappear? No. But these tips will make them easier to handle.

If you're ready to get your nutrition on track join my next Ultimate Lifestyle Transformation starting soon! Contact me to learn more. Until next time, be well!

Photo by Alonso Reyes