Bounce Back, Move Forward
Cultivating a Culture of Resiliency for the Family
Published: March 3, 2021
Every day, we face different types of challenges that test not just our physical strength, but also our mental and emotional prowess. In the midst of a global pandemic, the need to be able to overcome life’s daily obstacles and continue living with a purpose has become even more paramount. This change in lifestyle can start within the home — with parents leading the charge in cultivating a culture of resiliency for the family.
Resiliency in a Nutshell
Health and wellness site Everyday Health defines resiliency as “the ability to withstand adversity and bounce back from difficult life events.” It is often equated to mental toughness, but it is manifested in a person’s capacity to work through emotional pain and suffering. Without the right amount of resilience, a person can get overwhelmed easily and turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms. It is important to learn how to draw on one’s strengths and support systems that can aid them in navigating through life’s ever changing waters.
Building Resiliency
Resiliency can be learned, but parents have to encourage their children to commit to it. For resiliency to stick, it should be re-imagined as a process wherein people demonstrate flexibility in reframing thought patterns and using their personal strengths to pave the way to success. Here are some steps that can help make resiliency a habit:
Self-Evaluate Regularly
Observe and get a firm understanding of how you deal with stress and adversity. In doing so, you can guide your family in identifying and getting in touch with their strengths, and acknowledging their weaknesses or areas for improvement.
Assert Control Over Yourself
Read up on various stress-reduction techniques such as guided imagery, breathing exercises, and mindfulness training, and choose which ones can best help your family manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors better. The key is to not lose sight of the goal, even in the face of stress and adversity.
Cope With It Your Way
How do you best express your feelings? Perform activities that calm you down and lift your spirits. Whether you are more into laid-back and thoughtful hobbies such as journaling, sleeping, and art, or active ventures like hiking, exercising, and socializing, make sure to allot some time to cope especially after a long day.
Look On The Bright Side
Study shows that optimistic people tend to feel more in control of their outcomes. Given this, shift your attention to things that you can manipulate instead, and use this knowledge to create solutions to your problems.
Stay Connected
A family is stronger together, and this togetherness can be extremely advantageous as support systems play a vital role in resilience. Aside from strengthening your bonds at home, look for opportunities to grow your circle beyond it.