We wanted to start this post by letting you know that making a lifestyle change is extremely challenging, but worthy. Don’t try to transform many things at once but instead focus on small changes and think of those goals not as a resolution but as an evolution.

To begin with, we will share the definition of Wellness and Resilience for you to be able to understand how important this to concepts are for your long term health:

Wellness- an optimal state of mind and body

Resilience– is “the ability to face adversity and use life’s challenges to learn and move forward. It doesn’t mean that you will not have problems, make mistakes, or need to ask for help.”

Another definition explains that ” resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress—such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or workplace and financial stressors.”

According to the resilience institute Guide to Resilience and Wellbeing,  resilience depends on the ability to return to a state of equilibrium after a period of adversity, so they created a guide that will assist you in making positive lifestyle decisions and lasting changes.

Here are a few tips to improve your Resilience and Wellbeing:

Identify what you can control – Instead of what you can’t control. Focus your daily attention on how can make a situation better, on your routines and identify points of control and takes advantage of them.

Build Confidence – Confidence comes to hand to hand with how you feel about yourself. Try to change how your self-talk, and be conscious that building confidence is a process.

Take care of your body. Self-care may be a popular buzzword, but it’s also a legitimate practice for mental health and building resilience. That’s because stress is just as much physical as it is emotional. Promoting positive lifestyle factors like proper nutrition, ample sleep, hydration, and regular exercise can strengthen your body to adapt to stress and reduce the toll of emotions like anxiety or depression.

Ask for support.
“Accepting help from those who care about you and will listen strengthens your resilience and commitment. If you feel overwhelmed or unable to meet your goals on your own, consider seeking help from a psychologist. Psychologists are uniquely trained to understand the connection between the mind and body, as well as the factors that promote behavior change. Asking for help does not mean a lifetime of therapy; even just a few sessions can help you examine and set attainable goals or address the emotional issues that may be getting in your way.”

Practice mindfulness. 
“Mindful journaling, yoga, and other spiritual practices like prayer or meditation can also help people build connections and restore hope, which can prime them to deal with situations that require resilience. When you journal, meditate, or pray, ruminate on positive aspects of your life and recall the things you’re grateful for, even during personal trials.”

Look for opportunities for self-love and self-discovery.  Start with “Why?” People often find that they have grown in some respect as a result of a struggle. For example, after a tragedy or hardship, people have reported better relationships and a greater sense of strength, even while feeling vulnerable. That can increase their sense of self-worth and heighten their appreciation for life.

For more information about making permanent lifestyle changes feel free to write us, or go directly to find an expert to help you through this process!

Sources: The Resilience Institute, Personal Health and Wellness – Community College of Baltimore County

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