And so the days march on.
These continue to be stressful times! Remember that we all need to stay grounded and calm. And not only can we do this, we can get better at it! Today I will introduce you to the next steps we need to take to build a resilient mindset.
Resilience is a competency. It is a series of things that you do when you are under pressure. We have looked at mindfulness and grounding. Now I want to turn to how you conduct yourself when you are under stress.
It is easy to react in the heat of the moment and then regret things you’ve said or done afterwards. It is essential to take responsibility for your actions. Stress might be out of your control; your behaviour is not. You are responsible for how you behave when you are under stress. It’s your choice!
Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re going about your day and interaction (from a distance!) with others.
Control
Remain good tempered. Think before you act! Be restrained and aware of the impact of your words and actions. Harness your energy for good.
Compassion
Practice random acts of kindness. Express your appreciation to others. This cultivates positive attitudes that are merciful and grateful.
Commitment
Remain committed to positively effect change. Stay involved. Commit to taking care of your well-being. Maintain your dignity and the dignity of others.
Clarity
Your perspective matters! Be optimistic. Keep a positive end in mind. Be purposeful and intentional in your actions. Be humble. Remain calm.
Courage
Continue to be hopeful and act in the face of fear. Move forward! Embody bravery.
Connection
Empathize with others. Adopt a co-operative stance. Reach out to and support others.
As you face these stressful times, remember your behaviour is under your control. Build a resilient mindset. If you remain self-aware you can begin to cultivate these habits.
In the days to come we will dive deeper into each of these things. Over time these things will become easier. It’s not because they are easy, it’s because you are stronger! Exercise self-control. Stay committed. Be compassionate. Maintain your perspective. Have courage. Connect with others.
We can get through these times together!
Dr. Jackie Kinley is a psychiatrist, author of Mental Fitness: The Game Changer and founder of the Atlantic Institute for Resilience in Halifax, N.S.
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