Hello friends, and
welcome to this month’s Joyinmovement newsletter.
welcome to this month’s Joyinmovement newsletter.
I continue to be
fascinated by topics like motivation, success, and resiliency.
Resiliency, in particular, has been on my mind lately, so I decided to
give it closer attention. As we wind down 2009 and start to look back
and notice what kind of year we’ve had, I think a good question to ask
ourselves is have we demonstrated resiliency? If not, why, and how can
we be more resilient in years to come?
fascinated by topics like motivation, success, and resiliency.
Resiliency, in particular, has been on my mind lately, so I decided to
give it closer attention. As we wind down 2009 and start to look back
and notice what kind of year we’ve had, I think a good question to ask
ourselves is have we demonstrated resiliency? If not, why, and how can
we be more resilient in years to come?
There
can be many different definitions of resiliency, but let’s keep it
simple. Being resilient means being able to rebound quickly from a
crisis or trauma.
can be many different definitions of resiliency, but let’s keep it
simple. Being resilient means being able to rebound quickly from a
crisis or trauma.
While
we might all tend to fall apart after a crisis or trauma, resilient
people don’t fall apart for long. They call forth their inner strength.
They also use resources outside themselves and keep moving forward. They
understand they have a new reality, and reset their future expectations
with this in mind. Whether it’s a financial blow, the loss of a loved
one, or any of the other life changing possibilities we all go through,
they are able to re-calibrate and bounce back, acting like trees bending
in the wind. They withstand the bend without breaking.
we might all tend to fall apart after a crisis or trauma, resilient
people don’t fall apart for long. They call forth their inner strength.
They also use resources outside themselves and keep moving forward. They
understand they have a new reality, and reset their future expectations
with this in mind. Whether it’s a financial blow, the loss of a loved
one, or any of the other life changing possibilities we all go through,
they are able to re-calibrate and bounce back, acting like trees bending
in the wind. They withstand the bend without breaking.
After
doing some research I found that scientists agree that resilience
varies from person to person and that it has a genetic component.
They’re finding that certain genes may protect you against the
“emotional back draft” of trauma. Yet, resiliency, is after all, a
behavior, and so it can be learned. And there are indeed common
qualities that resilient people share. These qualities CAN be cultivated
to help you handle any crisis, so let’s take a closer look. I think we
can all use some reinforcement and practice for those resiliency
muscles!
doing some research I found that scientists agree that resilience
varies from person to person and that it has a genetic component.
They’re finding that certain genes may protect you against the
“emotional back draft” of trauma. Yet, resiliency, is after all, a
behavior, and so it can be learned. And there are indeed common
qualities that resilient people share. These qualities CAN be cultivated
to help you handle any crisis, so let’s take a closer look. I think we
can all use some reinforcement and practice for those resiliency
muscles!
1.
Resilient people stay connected. They muster their inner strength AND
also rely on others. We all help “save” each other. In one study I
looked at, caregivers who reported having good social support scored
higher on measures of quality of life and well-being. They were better
able to GIVE care because they in turn felt cared for by others.
Resilient people stay connected. They muster their inner strength AND
also rely on others. We all help “save” each other. In one study I
looked at, caregivers who reported having good social support scored
higher on measures of quality of life and well-being. They were better
able to GIVE care because they in turn felt cared for by others.
2.
Resilient people are optimistic. If you have a brighter outlook on life,
you’ll do better at managing crisis when it comes along. When you can
attribute positive meaning to what you’re going through, it ascribes
meaning to the experience and perhaps you’ll be less likely to feel
depressed or stressed. If you lack a “glass half-full” viewpoint, you
can change your negative thinking by changing your mindset. The first
step? Observe the spin you put on your own experiences. Then you can
begin to frame situations in a more positive light.
Resilient people are optimistic. If you have a brighter outlook on life,
you’ll do better at managing crisis when it comes along. When you can
attribute positive meaning to what you’re going through, it ascribes
meaning to the experience and perhaps you’ll be less likely to feel
depressed or stressed. If you lack a “glass half-full” viewpoint, you
can change your negative thinking by changing your mindset. The first
step? Observe the spin you put on your own experiences. Then you can
begin to frame situations in a more positive light.
3.
Resilient people are spiritual. While this is a general statement,
people who have a spiritual practice do tend to get through difficult
times better than those who don’t. If you’re interested in this aspect
of resiliency, take a look at the book The Resiliency
Advantage by Al Siebert.
Resilient people are spiritual. While this is a general statement,
people who have a spiritual practice do tend to get through difficult
times better than those who don’t. If you’re interested in this aspect
of resiliency, take a look at the book The Resiliency
Advantage by Al Siebert.
4.
Resilient people are playful. They can enjoy themselves like children.
They laugh easily and are able to experience wonder. Anyone for a game
of hopscotch or a hike through the woods catching butterflies?
Resilient people are playful. They can enjoy themselves like children.
They laugh easily and are able to experience wonder. Anyone for a game
of hopscotch or a hike through the woods catching butterflies?
5.
Resilient people give back. Research shows that people who help others
live longer. When you give to others YOU derive benefit as well.
Resilient people give back. Research shows that people who help others
live longer. When you give to others YOU derive benefit as well.
6.
Resilient people pick their battles. I really think this is a key one!
Recognize and focus on things over which you have influence. Notice I
didn’t say “control”. Influence is a much more useful and truthful word,
in this case. Whether you wallow in anger or fear, or move on, is up to
you. You can refocus your energy and use it in empowering ways.
Resilient people pick their battles. I really think this is a key one!
Recognize and focus on things over which you have influence. Notice I
didn’t say “control”. Influence is a much more useful and truthful word,
in this case. Whether you wallow in anger or fear, or move on, is up to
you. You can refocus your energy and use it in empowering ways.
7.
Resilient people stay healthy. Were you wondering where Joyinmovement
fit with resiliency? Here it is! Eating well and getting regular
physical activity are essential buffers for stress. There are neurons in
your brain that are susceptible to stress and exercise helps repair
them. Be good to yourself. This will help you give care as well as take
care from others.
Resilient people stay healthy. Were you wondering where Joyinmovement
fit with resiliency? Here it is! Eating well and getting regular
physical activity are essential buffers for stress. There are neurons in
your brain that are susceptible to stress and exercise helps repair
them. Be good to yourself. This will help you give care as well as take
care from others.
8.
Resilient people find the silver lining. Maybe even the gold one!
Convert misfortune into fortune and gain strength from those times of
adversity. There is always something we can learn. You can better
yourself and often the world as well. I read one article that used the
term “post-traumatic GROWTH syndrome” and I liked this spin on words.
Resilient people find the silver lining. Maybe even the gold one!
Convert misfortune into fortune and gain strength from those times of
adversity. There is always something we can learn. You can better
yourself and often the world as well. I read one article that used the
term “post-traumatic GROWTH syndrome” and I liked this spin on words.
If
you’re interested, send me an email and I’ll forward you a How Resilient
Are You rating scale. It will be good to see where you’re starting
from.
you’re interested, send me an email and I’ll forward you a How Resilient
Are You rating scale. It will be good to see where you’re starting
from.
I
hope a deeper discussion of resiliency has meaning for you. For all of
us, 2009 has packed quite a wallop. I know for myself, when I learn more
about topics like resiliency and then put to good use what I learn, I
feel better about my own experiences and find it easier to make a
difference in my Joyinmovement world!
hope a deeper discussion of resiliency has meaning for you. For all of
us, 2009 has packed quite a wallop. I know for myself, when I learn more
about topics like resiliency and then put to good use what I learn, I
feel better about my own experiences and find it easier to make a
difference in my Joyinmovement world!
Until
next month, when I’ll have a really enlightening interview for you all
about chi stagnation (trust me, it’ll be a great one to end the year
on)……….
next month, when I’ll have a really enlightening interview for you all
about chi stagnation (trust me, it’ll be a great one to end the year
on)……….
Yours
in health,
in health,
shelli
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