Building Resilience in Difficult Times

We are moving quickly toward the 2024 presidential election here in the USA and things are feeling tense. With everything that we’ve gone through as a society in recent years—the COVID-19 pandemic, mass shootings, the changing environment, and more—let alone what we’ve had to deal with in our personal lives, it can be hard to cope. But taking steps to adapt can greatly benefit our mental health and overall well-being. Below are some tips on how to build resilience in difficult times.

Focus on the Positives

It’s human nature to concentrate on the negatives—after all, doing so helped our ancestors avoid danger and survive. But when you’re faced with difficult times, it’s important that you try to notice your thoughts and allow them to come and go without necessarily believing each one. For example, if you lose your job, notice the thoughts of sadness or anger and then try to focus on how it’s provided you with the opportunity to find an even better position.

Accept What You Cannot Change

Oftentimes, we find ourselves in difficult circumstances that are beyond our control. When that happens, you must accept reality and focus only on what you have the power to change. For instance, if a loved one receives a troubling diagnosis, rather than stressing about potential outcomes, you should focus on what you can do to make the treatment process easier for them. This might include driving your loved one to appointments, running errands for them, or offering a listening ear.

Rely on Your Friends & Family

If you tend to stick your head in the sand whenever times get tough, you’re not alone. But this habit can cause you to feel isolated, compounding any difficulties you’re already experiencing. So, make it a point to reach out to friends and family members. Even if you don’t discuss the issues you’re currently dealing with, getting to relax and spend time together—either in person or by phone—will likely leave you feeling better overall.

Take the Next Step Toward Overcoming Adversity

If you’re going through a difficult time in your life and would like to work on building your resilience, contact me today. I'm happy to schedule a therapy session (in-person or online if you're in Denver) at a time that’s convenient for you.