Resilience in times of crises

Resilience is important in our usual day to day world so in these changed times it is more important than ever.

Any change is difficult but changes on the scale that Covid19 has brought are unprecedented in our times.  The more resilient that you are the easier you will find it to adapt to these new circumstances and therefore you will be better off in the long run.  Adaptability is the real key to survival (just ask Darwin).

Being resilient however does NOT mean that you are not worried, uneasy, scared…it simply means that you can acknowledge these feelings and still be able to change yourself and your surroundings to best solve the problems and issues you are currently facing and come up with the best possible solution.

Your brain may be on high alert at the moment on “Fight, Flight or Freeze” mode but this is not inevitable. Your higher reasoning brain has the ability and power to stop this instant reaction and focus your attention to where it is important.  Bringing your awareness to the emotions and feelings that you have is so important if you want to regulate them and not be a slave to them. 

Name the feelings, discuss or journal them and the effects that they have on you.  Acknowledge that the feelings are there but know that you are capable of moving past the immediate threat/reaction/feeling and rationally considering the bigger picture.

Mindfulness is a great tool in helping you to be aware of your feelings and reactions.  Taking ten minutes every day to be mindful and meditate can change the neural pathways in your brain and improve your mind immensely.