In difficult times, why is it that some of us flourish whilst others crumble?
It’s likely that resilience has a significant part to play.
Resilience is a quality that empowers individuals to persevere, adapt, and grow in the face of life’s challenges. It’s not just the ability to bounce back; it’s a mindset that enables us to overcome ordeals – and be all the stronger for it.
However, being resilient encompasses a whole range of other personal assets that we might not, at first, think of…
1. Resilience can help us gain and maintain a more positive outlook
Life is unpredictable, and obstacles are bound to arise, but resilience equips us with the mental fortitude to navigate through these challenges. It allows us to view setbacks as opportunities for growth, rather than as insurmountable barriers.
Think about what means for a moment: by cultivating resilience in our everyday lives, we can learn to embrace setbacks and still keep moving forward. And with each step we take, we are automatically building our confidence and self-belief, as we achieve each milestone.
2. It can help us to self-regulate under pressure
Working on our resilience can actually also help to maintain our well-being. By managing difficulties with a positive mindset, we are less likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, and depression.
It’s all in the mind-body – all that we are, and can be. Simply by learning to replace feelings of worry and pessimism with positivity and hope, we can cultivate the seeds of a future we want – now.
3. Resilience can make us more adaptable and ready for change
As difficult as it is to accept for many, change really is the only constant in life – and resilience enables us to adapt to new circumstances with ease.
When faced with unexpected shifts, resilient individuals embrace change as an opportunity for growth and innovation. They possess a flexible mindset that allows them to adjust their strategies and goals accordingly.
And by embracing change rather than resisting it, we are better equipped to navigate uncertainty and thrive in an ever-evolving world.
4. Resilience enables us to build strong relationships
Asking for help is one of the most difficult things we can do at times, but it can actually help to strengthen our relationships – by giving others the opportunity to do something for us!
And when we have resilience in our arsenal, we’re less afraid of seeking that help and leaning on loved ones, having had the courage to share our vulnerabilities. Of course, it goes both ways: resilient individuals also inspire and motivate those around them, creating a ripple effect of strength and positivity.
5. It can help us to move towards successful outcomes
Resilience is a key driver of success, too, as resilient people do not let these obstacles define them! Instead, they learn from their mistakes, adapt their strategies, and persevere until they achieve their goals.
Throughout whatever challenges we meet, resilience can lend us the determination and persistence we need to succeed. Moreover, it might be seen to separate those who settle for mediocrity from those who aim high, and believe that they can achieve it.
Perhaps as you are reading this, you’re thinking ‘…but I’m not resilient!’. And you wouldn’t be alone. Many feel that resilience is not something they were born with.
Thankfully, however, resilience is not a fixed trait, but rather a skill that can be cultivated and honed over time, through a better understanding of, and connection with, our inner selves.
And this is where Sophrology can help.
Finding Strength through Sophrology
Sophrology is a holistic practice that combines elements of Eastern mindfulness and meditation with Western relaxation techniques and principles of positive psychology. While it originated in the 1960s, it has gained popularity in recent years due to its effectiveness in promoting overall well-being and building resilience.
Through the techniques used within the method, we can learn to enjoy our journey through life more, and with a sense of hope and purpose. It takes practice, but then, all good things in life, do! Here are some of the ways that the Sophrology method can help to make you more resilient in your everyday life…
Stress Reduction:
Sophrology teaches various relaxation techniques, including deep breathing exercises, visualisation, and progressive muscle relaxation. By practising these techniques regularly, we can reduce stress levels and increase their ability to cope with challenging situations.
When stress is managed effectively, resilience is enhanced, allowing us to bounce back more easily from setbacks.
Mind-Body Connection:
Sophrology emphasises the connection between the mind and body. Through body awareness exercises and gentle movements, we learn to tune in to our physical sensations and emotions.
This heightened awareness fosters resilience by enabling us to recognise and address early signs of stress or emotional distress. And thus, by cultivating a deeper understanding of our own body and emotions, we can respond to adversity in a more balanced and proactive way.
Positive Visualisation:
Sophrology incorporates visualisation techniques to create positive mental images and scenarios. By visualising success, overcoming challenges, and actually envisioning what your resilient mindset would look and feel like, you can learn to reframe your thoughts and beliefs, in a way that serves your goals, rather than your doubts or worries.
Importantly, believing that we can overcome – that we will find solutions to our problems – is key to overcoming any challenge. In this way, visualisation helps to train the mind to focus on solutions rather than getting overwhelmed by obstacles.
Emotional Regulation:
Resilience involves managing and regulating emotions effectively. Sophrology helps develop emotional resilience by teaching us mindfulness techniques that allow them to observe their emotions without judgment.
This can help us to look at things from a more open viewpoint, cultivating a non-reactive and accepting stance towards emotions as we go. In this way, our improved self-awareness and enhanced emotional regulation empower us to make informed decisions and respond calmly and constructively to challenging situations.
Improved Sleep and Rest:
Rest and rejuvenation are vital for building resilience, and Sophrology incorporates relaxation techniques that help us achieve deep states of relaxation and improve our sleep quality. A taxing day after a poor night’s sleep, as anyone knows, can often lead to poor decision-making or ‘unfiltered comments’ that are difficult to come back from!
Sleep is essential for cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, and physical health, and by simply incorporating Sophrology practices into your bedtime routine, you can help keep yourself in good mental shape!
Self-Empowerment:
Sophrology encourages us to take an active role in our own well-being and resilience-building process.
By practising regularly and incorporating Sophrology techniques into our daily lives, we develop a sense of empowerment and agency. Through this, we can develop our confidence that we will prevail, and that we deserve the successes we achieve.
Critically, a strong sense of self-responsibility and self-empowerment creates the very foundation upon which resilience can build towards your goals. Without these, we can tend to ‘give up’ when the going gets rough!
It’s not all about soldiering on…
Do friends and family often say to you:
‘‘Oh you’ll manage; you’re strong’?
Such well-intended words are not always helpful!
It’s vital to understand that resilience is not about trying to become ‘bullet-proof’, and in fact, this approach can lead to wider problems. Society teaches us that being able to ‘soldier on’ is admirable – and even desirable, as employers commend those who are the embodiment of grace under pressure, or to keep going when others are floundering.
In fact, those who persevere under unfair or problematic conditions may be less likely to tackle and change such issues, than someone who ‘snaps’ and calls for the situation to be corrected.
In short, sometimes, something has to give for the greater good, and resilience means being able to see clearly in trying times, and to effect change when needed. And change is far easier to initiate or adapt to when we do so from a calm and positive state.
Giving ourselves the Gift of Resilience – with Sophrology
Sophrology provides a very practical and accessible approach towards building our inner strength and clarity; and by incorporating Sophrology practices into our daily lives, we can develop the skills and mindset necessary to navigate through life’s challenges with greater resilience, mental clarity, and emotional well-being.
So if you’re someone who tends to flounder rather than flourish in the face of adversity, it might be time to give Sophrology a try; we all have the power to become more resilient, and isn’t that a gift we deserve to give ourselves?
Want to find out more about Sophrology? Why not attend one of our free sessions, held weekly, online. Find out more on our events page.