As the seasons move through their annual cycle, we’re reminded that nothing can stay the same for long. Winter’s first dusting of snow brings outdoor activities that we can only enjoy during this frosty period. While nature rests, we slow down and settle indoors with our family, friends and coziest hobbies.
On the other hand, we miss the sunlight as nights grow longer. The biting cold makes us reconsider stepping outside unless absolutely necessary. And once the magic of the holiday season passes, we’re left to wonder if winter will ever end. Of course, spring will come eventually.
Change is both certain and uncertain. We know it’s inevitable, but that’s really all. While it’s somewhat beyond our control, by focusing on the things we can influence—like creating a positive mindset and building resilience—we’ll be better equipped to handle whatever changes life has in store.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Just as with any major shift, sometimes the smallest unexpected hurdle can throw us off. The important thing is to not let tiny setbacks grow into something bigger.
Consider this scenario: that aforementioned winter weather has delayed your commute and made you several minutes late for work. You lean into your frustration for the remainder of the drive, arrive feeling irritable and immediately dive into your to-do list. Unable to get past your annoyance, this minor inconvenience has managed to derail your day.
On the flip side, you could recognize that this scenario might have been avoided by giving yourself longer to commute in the morning, and you resolve to start doing just that. From now on, you‘ll either have more time to enjoy your favourite podcast on the drive or you’ll arrive at work with a few extra minutes to settle in, grab a coffee and catch up with your colleagues. Either way, it’s a much more positive start to your day.
Though we’re bound to face more difficult challenges than this, the ways in which we can work on building resilience still apply: concentrating on what’s within our control, finding solutions and focusing forward.
Build Resilience by Reframing
Reframing our mindset sounds simple, but it’s not always easy. Particularly for people prone to catastrophizing, with thoughts that default to the worst possible outcome. While this tendency most often impacts people with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other mental health conditions, anyone can experience catastrophic thinking.
Thankfully, there are ways to combat unhelpful thoughts, big and small.
- Break the pattern. Our brains love patterns, so we need to consciously disrupt those that don’t serve us in order to create more beneficial ones. Awareness of our patterns is the first requirement to changing them—rather than letting troublesome thoughts slip through undetected, acknowledge them for what they are.
- Rationalize and refocus. Once you’ve called out those unpleasant patterns, try to think more objectively. You know the worst-case scenario, but what’s the most likely? We’ve all spent our time worrying about things that turn out much better than expected, and while we can never know for sure what the future holds, choosing to embrace the brighter side can save a lot of stress. One way to frame this is manifesting your ideal outcome, another is simply leaning into the thoughts that feel good.
- Get extra support. While positive thought exercises and other mindfulness practices can be incredibly effective, if you’re feeling stuck, counselling may be what you need. Arcora can connect you with a professional to offer resilience-building tools for a better outlook.
Self-Care is Mental Health Care
While mindset plays a key role in how we bounce back from challenges, there are other important factors at play. We often hear the term ‘self-care’ in relation to luxurious goods or special occasions, but it’s truly about the everyday ways that we take care of ourselves. It’s doing things that bring us joy, as well as the more practical things we know are good for us. When we prioritize ourselves, we feel better and create a stronger baseline to handle challenges.
Self-care is foundational to resilience building. While both require continuous investment, like anything, this becomes easier with practice. And the good news is, you never have to do it alone. Whether you’re struggling or just feeling like your well-being could use some extra care, remember you can always lean on counselling and other EAP supports through Arcora. Reach out to get started.
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