Swapnil and Arunima Kamat speaks about resilience and coping with uncertainties during these unprecedented times
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.
The past year was tough for all of us. The global pandemic affected millions, bringing about dramatic changes to how we conduct our daily lives. No other disaster in recent history has had such a huge impact on humanity, in such a short period of time. As a result, we have had to deal with personal adversity, such as the loss of a loved one, unemployment, business losses and declining mental health. For most of us, this time of unprecedented struggle and upheaval has left us feeling helpless and overwhelmed by stress and anxiety.
While we must acknowledge that challenges, failure and change are inevitable, does this mean that there is nothing we can do when faced with hardships? Of course not. There are ways to smooth rough waters and regain a sense of control during difficult times. This is where resilience plays a critical role.
Resilience is what made people like J.K Rowling, Oprah Winfrey, Walt Disney household names. It’s what helped people we know personally cope with setbacks, family problems, serious health issues and financial stressors. Resilience is what makes us better at rebounding from misfortune.
Anyone can develop the quality of resilience, regardless of age or circumstances. Here are some tips to help you build resilience and cope with tumultuous times.
1. Reach Out to Others
No one said that you need to go through difficult times on your own. Withdrawing from others won’t help you, reaching out for help will. Talking to friends, family or loved ones about what you are going through can ease stress, boost your mood and even help make sense of the change and disruption. You can draw strength from having support, whether it is in the form of family, friends, co-workers, a therapist or a support group.
2. Invest in Self-Care
Coping with adversity, can be both mentally and physically draining. Moreover, the constant state of heightened stress can have a serious impact on your health. This is why prioritizing self-care is an important aspect of getting through distressing times.
a) Get regular exercise: Stress can manifest as physical symptoms such as tense muscles, back or neck pain, headaches, insomnia, upset stomach, etc. Exercise not only releases powerful endorphins, which improve your mood, but also helps ease the tension in the body.
b) Eat and sleep well: When things aren’t great, the little stuff often slips. Living through hardship can cause one to ignore their health, lose sleep and skip meals. Enforce a healthy routine, which includes nutritious meals and good
sleeping habits. This will provide you the energy and focus to tackle the challenges that you are facing.
c) Make time for things you enjoy: In turbulent times, try not to cast aside activities that make you happy. Whether it is playing a sport, painting, reading, listening to music, home improvement projects, gardening, etc., continuing to
draw pleasure from these will add to your ability to cope with the stress of difficult times. They will also divert your
attention for a while and give your mind and emotions a break.
3. Practice Gratitude
Look to the things you have rather than the ones you don’t. Numerous studies have found that gratitude is the quickest pathway to happiness and peace of mind. Every night before sleeping, spend 15 minutes writing down what you have to be grateful for. Remind yourself that there are people in the world who would trade their problems for yours in an instant. If there is just one thing that will help you deal with whatever life throws at you – it is focusing on the things that you have control over, and accepting what you can’t change. Railing against the latter will only \ leave you feeling hopeless, while accepting your situation will free you up to focus your energy on positive action.
Next time you find yourself in a dire situation, make a list of the things that are outside your control and give
yourself permission to stop worrying about them. Instead, consider what action you can take. Lastly, remember that however tough and insurmountable things may seem, this too shall pass. Don’t let it consume you.
Arunima Kamat heads Learning Research at Work Better; Swapnil Kamat is Founder-CEO of Work Better Email: swapnil@workbetterindia.com
