Would you like to find out 5 easy ways to build up your resiliency?
Resilience is a critical skill for us all. As per Linda Graham, MFT, resilience refers to “the capacity to respond to pressures and tragedies quickly, adaptively and effectively.”
Furthermore, “being able to adapt our coping to a specific challenge is the skill that allows us to find our footing when we’re thrown off balance by the unknown, by stress, or by trauma. Responding flexibly can carry us through the ups and downs of our days.”
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| Linda Graham, MFT |
While we have innate capacities in our brain that allow us to cope with life’s disasters, disappointments with flexibility and adaptability, resilience develops in many different ways.
To find out how we (and our clients) may boost our resilience, I listened to Linda Graham ‘s informative workshop at the 2013 Psychotherapy Networker Symposium.
Below is an infographic illustrating 5 different methods that you and your clients may use to increase your ability to cope with change, as well as difficult/painful situations.
With regards to the last suggestion of doing one scary/new thing a day, it is suggested that we try to find the gift in our mistakes. Linda explains that our brains learn as much from our mistakes as they do from regular learning.
To assist in this endeavor [and build compassion and resilience], she recommends that we share our mistakes with a trusted group of friends and do so in a way that illustrates our growth and learning.
For example: “This is what happened. [xxxx] This is what I did. [xxxx] This is what I’m learning. [xxxx] This is how I will be resilient going forward. [xxxx] And I will continue to share my growing experiences with you, my good friends…”
What are your thoughts about resilience? Which resilience boosters on the infographic would you consider sharing with your clients and/or incorporating into your routine?
Image: Linda Graham, MFT
References:
Graham, Linda (2013). Bouncing back: Rewiring your brain for maximum resilience and well-being. New World Library. Canada.
Graham, Linda (2013). Building resilience through positive emotions. 2013 Psychotherapy Networker Symposium.
Hello Dorlee,
Alain de Botton wrote: “A good half of the art of living is resilience.” I’m thinking perhaps even more!
Your post is a good reminder that resilience is skill that we can cultivate and you outline practical exercises that can be put into practice right away. I will definitely be sharing these.
One other exercise to consider is meditation. Bill George from Harvard Business School wrote: “The best way to become more resilient is to develop oneself into a calm, compassionate and adaptable Mindful Leader.”
Thank you for yet another valuable post!
Jackie
Hi Jackie,
Thank you for sharing Alain de Botton’s quote about resilience. It is most wise…
For some strange reason, when we are in the midst of some storm, we often forget that we are not alone in our experiencing troubles and that “normal” life consists of dealing with disappointments, troubles, illnesses. losses etc
Re meditation, yes – that is an excellent way of increasing one’s ability to deal with stress.
Last but not least, you illustrate some additional ways of dealing with stressful situations in your post How To Get Over Overwhelm http://jackieyun.com/2012/12/21/how-to-get-over-overwhelm/. These may also be helpful in boosting one’s resilience!
Warmly,
Dorlee