The Resilience Plan

[theresilienceplan]

I went deep into @theangrytherapist 's world today. Such good insights! And the one that spoke to me the most was #singleonpurpose. I'm finding my single life allows me to really focus on my son, myself, my interests and hobbies, my work, my self care, my workouts, my diet, my friends, my life!!! Focusing on me, fills me up to be able to give to others even more! When you embrace being alone, you wont feel lonely. Fill your life with what you love! Who's with me?!?! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #resilience #resiliencecoach #lovemylife #lovemyson #lovemyself #alonebutneverlonely #fullfillinglife #betteryourself #selfcaresunday #selfcare #mentalwellness #theresilienceplan https://www.instagram.com/p/CIvZEKeD-8e/?igshid=zvot695l8lq9

[theresilienceplan]

I love this post from @nakeiahomer She is reminding us that, yes, this year has been incredibly difficult. But lets recognize our strength and that have, we can and we will make it through. As trying as the next few months may be, we'll go into the new year stronger because of it. ・・・ #Repost ⁣changing the way you see and talk about this year will prevent you from walking into a new one already defeated.⠀ ⠀ if a global pandemic, job loss, isolation, racism, political fatigue, and unexpected pivots didn’t defeat you, it built up your strength to handle anything.⠀ ⠀ i pray you see your strength- not just your struggle.⠀ ⠀ comment “amen” if you receive this prayer. 🙏🏾 . . . . . . . . . . #resilience #resilienttogether #mentalhealth #staystrong #nakeiahomer #quoteoftheday #wecanmakeit #seeyourstrength https://www.instagram.com/p/CG44mrojvcs/?igshid=tj882swc86qn

[theresilienceplan]

“If Resilience is an endurance race, optimism is the engine” - Dr Karen Reivich 

One of the most important characteristics of resilience is optimism. Optimism is the belief in a positive future. And contrary to what some people believe, you CAN learn to be optimistic. It’s so worth it too, as optimists tend to have more relationship satisfaction, greater well-being, live longer, have a more robust immune system, and tend not to be as susceptible to bouts of depression. Are you naturally optimistic or do you have to work at it?

Image: Stokpic from Pexels

[theresilienceplan]

Feeling inspired this morning and ready to take in the week. Let's set an intention for this week. I'm focused on a peaceful, productive, happy week ahead ❤ https://www.instagram.com/p/CGhtV-0jmlB/?igshid=1cbce09jhvpiq

[theresilienceplan]

What’s the difference between grit and resilience? Positivepsychology.com defines grit as being about sustained, consistent effort toward a goal even when we struggle, falter, or temporarily fail. Resilience is our ability to bounce back after we have struggled, faltered, or failed. In this community we work towards having both or rather, recognizing that we have the ability for both. But like anything worth having in life, it takes work. Let’s support each other in our efforts to be both gritty and resilient.   

Photo: @icon0com by pexels

[theresilienceplan]

This is a very powerful mental health and self-care strategy. Recognize the stimuli, identify what gets you caught up in emotions, or what triggers you….and pause. The pause allows you to create the space you need to assess the situation and decide on your response. That is how you can gain control over the situation and your own clarity and happiness.

[theresilienceplan]

During the Pandemic I discovered the power of a morning routine. I started with a few small steps and then stacked the steps as they became automatic. Here are a few steps that worked for me. 

1) Get out of bed as soon as you wake up.

2) Have a big glass of water and take your daily vitamins. 

3) Green tea and toast (or whatever your breakfast of choice is. Green tea is also a wonderful substitute for coffee. I felt coffee increased my anxiety but green tea gives me the caffeine and energy without  that side effect)

4) Morning affirmations. Listen to a short podcast, or read some positive quotes. Deep breaths and set the intention for you day. I usually focus on having a peaceful and productive day. 

4) Jump into something productive right away. Have a running ‘To Do’ list for work or whatever you’ll spend some time doing. It helps set you up for a productive day without delay or wondering where to start.

5) Get outside, get some sunshine, go for a walk or do some exercise. Make sure at some point to get those endorphins going!

What is your morning routine like?

[theresilienceplan]

You’ll give yourself the best shot at being resilient if you can STAY CALM. A stressful situation, creates a reaction in the body. An elevated heart rate, higher blood pressure, tense muscles,  a jittery nervous system. This in turn, fuels anxiety and racing thoughts. The way to manage this...breathing!

The simple act of breathing - 3 seconds in, 6 seconds out - and repeat for a few rounds, helps calm the physical and mental reactions to stress. By exercising some control under the situation, you give yourself a better chance to make a good decision in a tough situation. What are some other ways you exercise calm when stressed?

[theresilienceplan]

Today is World Mental Health Awareness Day. It's such an important day to reflect on what you are doing to support your own mental health (never stop learning and sharing). Its also the perfect opportunity to bring people into a mental health conversation. Let's talk about it. How to recognise signs of needing help, share actions you take to give yourself the balance, post about the resources you use, talk about how therapy works....but the most important thing is to just talk about it. Let's have the goal that people start to feel comfortable talking about and listening to these conversations. What will you share today?

[mentalhealth]

when you let go of people you are painfully seeking approval or love from, you return to yourself. you return to what feels truer to you and to what brings you happiness. you are reminded that life does not always have to feel bad, that you do not always have to feel like you aren’t enough, that what you want for yourself and your future goes beyond a single person’s regard of you. you notice the energy start to shift and flow more fluidly. pay attention to all of this.

[theresilienceplan]

Don’t Resent Your Pain and suffering...They Are the Building Blocks of a Resilient Life

Pain and suffering might be something that we think we are hardwired to avoid. But the truth is, it’s inevitable. The death of a loved one, the pain of rejection, being betrayed, losing something you value dearly, being threatened, and so on, are all an unavoidable part of the human experience. So people will also tell you that to have real character, you have to have had some type of challenge or hardship to overcome. To really know who you are, to test your weaknesses and find new strengths. Yet, why are some people able to bounce back, and some seem to never fully recover. What do those who are resilient have that makes it easier for them? Why do some strive while others continue to suffer?

”Pain builds resilience”

The truth is resilience is not easy. It’s really hard work in fact. Yes some people might be genetically predisposed to be more optimistic or such, but that’s not what makes resilient people.  It takes us looking for, finding and displaying, energy, and thoughtfulness towards yourself and others, to really be able to pull through. And some days it does feel like a one step forward, two steps back. Sometimes it’s smooth sailing, eliciting that ‘I got this’ type of feeling. And other days are really hard, depressing, challenging, and require a lot of emotional and mental strength to get through; made even harder by the fact that you might Illjust not want to even try. 

Illustration: buddhadoodles.shop

To make it easier to cope on those tough days, I focus on set sticking to a  routine. These repetitive habits keep me grounded and give me a sense of normalcy even on days when I feel like everything around me is falling apart.  I pay attention to how I’m feeling, identity the emotions, recognize that I’ll have to sit in the discomfort, and take notice of when I start to feel better.

Little steps every day is what gets us to resilient. The truth is, you don’t bounce back from hardships, you move through them.