How to Become Resilient!

In my work at SECAP (St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton, MA) and in my private practice at Newton Counseling Center, I often teach patients and clients the importance of becoming resilient. I believe that resiliency is a life skill that all of need to learn. Those with addictions and those without addictions need to be able to bounce back from adversity. The following is a handout that I often use to teach the concept of resiliency;

What is resiliency?

• The ability to cope well with high levels of ongoing disruptive change
• Sustaining good health and energy when under constant pressuren • Bouncing back from set backsn • Overcoming adversity or challengesn • Changing to a new way of working and living when an old way is no longer possiblen • Doing all of the above without acting in dysfunctional or harmful ways such as using drugs

Some suggestions for becoming more resilient and happier;

• Develop healthy relationships with other healthy people who are supportive of you and your recovery i.e. a family member, a friend, a sponsor, a therapist, a priest, a doctor, or a coach.

• Have faith and pray to a higher power. Develop a sense of spirituality. Engage in activities such as attending a religious service of your choosing, reading a religious book of your choosing, meditating, taking a walk in the woods or going to the ocean or listening to music.

• Learn how to reframe. Reframing is at the heart of resilience. It is about having a healthy perspective. It is a way of shifting focus from the cup half empty to the cup half full. Reframing helps one become optimistic. For example is it possible to view your relapse as a potential learning opportunity instead of just a failure?

• Express gratitude, whenever possible. We too often take our lives for granted. Learn to appreciate and savor the wonderful things in life from people to food, from nature to a smile.

• Remember the mind-body connection. What we do-or don’t do-with our bodies influences our mind. Regular exercise, adequate sleep and healthy eating habits lead to both physical and mental health.