What are we faced with?
In these challenging times, concerns about COVID-19 is taking a great toll on all and especially those who are vulnerable. Everyone is affected by the global pandemic, and the uncertainty and unknown seem frustrating and overwhelming. With more and more offices, schools, cities and even countries shutting down, the sense of dread and panic is spreading.
We as individuals may not be able to control the pandemic, but we can control ourselves and build inner resilience in response to the pandemic.
What is Resilience?
Resilience consists of an amalgamation of a set of skills, anchoring the inner strength to recover from major life calamity. Resilience is the ability to bounce back and keep going when life knocks you down. Resilient people have the mental strength to move through adversity by having a more positive outlook. They cope with stress effectively without losing their cool.
Research indicates that resilience comes naturally for only a few of us, and the rest have to learn this important life skill and develop the actions to pick yourself up when things happen.
Why Resilience is so important?
Changes are inevitable in our lives. For instance, the pandemic is one of the biggest challenges mankind has ever encountered, and it has impacted on our health and changed the way we behave and interact. This disruptions to our daily life has brought on anxiety and negativity, which we are still grappling with to find a way out.
In the unprecedented event, resilience is important to ensure we don’t get worn down by the challenges and disruptions we are facing. It helps us to we learn lessons and make meanings from them, survive and thrive the uncertainty by adapting well in the face of adversity.
How to build personal resilience in our lives?
Personal resilience can be built and strengthened over time and with practice. To start with, maybe think about incorporating the following practices into your daily life:
- Belief in your Abilities: Self-esteem plays an important role in coping with changes. Start listing your major strengths and accomplishments, and replace your negative outlook with a positive one. For example, “I can certainly do this”, “I am a great mother/father”, or “I am very good at my job”).
- Being more adaptable: An essential aspect of resilience is flexibility. Being adaptable you’ll respond smartly when faced with a life crisis. Resilient people utilize calamity as an opportunity to branch out in new directions and thrive.
- Hope and positivity: Resilience gives you the strength to stay optimistic during the darkest period of your life. This does not mean ignoring the problem, it means understanding the temporary setbacks and having the strength to combat the challenges you face.
- Nurturing self: Build your self-nurturance and make time for activities that you enjoy. Sleep peacefully and well. Take care of yourself first and then get ready to face life’s curveballs.
- Be your own Sherlock: Try to come up with your solutions to the problems you face. This will help you to establish confidence to cope with any kind of problem that arises.
- Indulge in a new hobby: You can protect yourself from feeling drowned from the constant barrage of depressive news. Do something enjoyable, such as read a book, play an instrument or write a daily journal.
- Compassion with self: Often we forget to go easy on our limitations. Instead of giving ourselves credits on what we do well, we hang on to what we don’t do so well. Focus on our strengths and resilience, and we will be prepared to confront challenges head-on.
Conclusion – Resilience is Key
As the pandemic continues to impact our lives, build resilience within ourselves is key to hold our grounds with self-awareness, full-hearted acceptance, and equanimity. Resilience helps us to pick ourselves up as many times as we fall, helps us to adapt constantly and build the tenacity to never give up. It plays an important role to assist us to survive and thrive tough times, keep on learning and improving, supporting ourselves and helping other people in need.
