We are all going through a tough time with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It may seem impossible to imagine moving on past the trauma you have already endured, especially right now while there is no end in sight. Resilience is the key to keeping yourself strong throughout trauma, so you can find happiness when this is all over.
Resilience is the process of adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences and adjusting to the demands that exist around you. When someone has been through heavy trauma and they are able to stay healthy, they are building resistance. People who are resilient still feel pain and distress during difficult times, but they are also capable of thriving and moving forward.
What Makes a Person Resilient? Know the Signs
Optimism is one personality trait associated with resilience. If you generally believe that good things will happen to you, it’s often easier to push through the darkest of times. Another common trait is past experience with trauma. If you have already gone through challenges and made it through hard times before, there is no reason you cannot get through it again.
Even though most people of this generation have never been through a pandemic before, they may have already dealt with losing jobs, caring for sick loved ones, or financial insecurity. Draw on any past experiences that can help you find the resolve to overcome the trauma you are experiencing now.
Finally, a third trait is the ability to form a support network and reach out to others. Social support can help you feel understood and give you more motivation to deal with your stress and trauma. A support group of people who have been in your shoes before or are capable of providing emotional support can make all the difference.
Growing Resilience
You can start building your resilience by thinking about the strong traits you already have that come naturally to you. These can be things like bravery, humor, compassion, generosity, etc. If generosity is your trait, see how you can use that to help people today, like bringing someone who is in quarantine their groceries. You can also start giving yourself permission to accept your emotions as you decide how to respond to your circumstances.
For example, laughing is a great way to alleviate stress and better connect with others. If you feel sad or overwhelmed, that is okay. But you can find healthy distractions to avoid thinking about the pandemic, such as starting a home project or taking a class. The best thing we can do right now is to build up our resilience in hopes of being happier people through these challenging times — and feeling more confident that we can get through anything.
If the pandemic or other trauma is affecting your life in negative ways, The Guest House can help. We have the knowledge and ability to change your self-defeating behaviors into healthy ones through a variety of proven methods, including equine therapy, somatic experiencing, art in healing, grief therapy, mindfulness, and more. The Guest House is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To learn more, call us today at (855) 483-7800.