October Highlights Emotional Wellness

Part of emotional wellness involves having the capacity for RESILIENCE.

Resilience is the ability to rise above or “bounce back” from mental, physical, social, and spiritual hardships. The American Psychological Association defines resilience as “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threat, or significant sources of stress,” from difficult experiences. It’s an innate trait found in individuals and a process of adaptation that can be cultivated and developed.  It’s the answer to the question found in Romans 8:31 which says, “What then shall we say to these things; If God is for us who or what can be against us?” and further affirmed in verse 37, “Yet in all these things we are than conquerors”. We are resilient! This is great news for people who face various levels of stress every day, from finances to marriage, jobs, children, or traffic. We can overcome and combat stress with resilience; which has been linked to improved functioning, positive outcomes, better health, and emotional wellbeing.

Here are a few steps to take and foster resilience that leads to emotional wellbeing this month and every day of your life.

1. Recognize YOU have it! Your resilience (own it) is proactive, reactive, and neutralizing. Proactive resilience says, “Today I rise above every circumstance, situation, stress or test that tries to come my way”.  It’s an attitude we get up with daily, a choice we can make to see the glass half full instead of half empty. Let’s not kid ourselves, we are not immune to stress. Life itself presents various scenarios, but it’s our response that can make the difference.

 2. This is where reactive resilience comes in. It says, I’m sorry, forgive me, or I forgive myself, I missed the mark or I blew it, again. I may be down but, I’m not out; “bounce back” I’m rising up and moving forward (Proverbs 24:16). 

3. Neutralizing resilience says, be patient with yourself and merciful toward others. Shutting down negative thoughts rendering them ineffective by applying resilience. The opposing force is effective enough to disarm the attack on your mind preventing you from taking steps towards emotional wellness.

Those who have and experience hardships are not condemned to a life of hopelessness and helplessness—people can, and do, recover by building upon existing strengths and applying new tools for coping, resilience is a skill that can be cultivated. Therefore live it, exercise it, and grow in it. Be emotionally well, be resilient. 

References

MacLeod, S et al (2016). The impact of resilience among older adults.

New King James Version Bible (2001) Rom. 8:31 & 37; Prov. 24:16