For the past few years, we’ve all needed more than our share of good old-fashioned grit just to deal with the trials and tribulations of everyday life. Many of us have aging parents or children who are navigating their way through the passages of age in the midst of uncertain times: job changes, broken hearts, messes to clean up. If we’re looking for chaos, we don’t have to look very hard to find it.
That’s why our resilience and ability to persevere are so important. Here are 4 things you can do today to see your way through these difficult times and retain your sense of hope.
Give Yourself a Break
No-one can sustain high levels of stress for long periods of time without some negative health effects. So you’re going to need to drive a wedge between your obligations and your sanity. In that space, you’ll find the time to give yourself a break. Whether it’s a series of short breaks once a week, or a week away, it’s something you must do in order to persevere when pressures are high.
Be Kind to Yourself
In order to persevere, you will need to consciously refill your inner well each day. Surround yourself with comforting rituals: a cup of tea, a hot bath, a conversation with a friend. Realize that you are doing the best you can in these circumstances. Smile at your heart. Practice gratitude. Be positive in your self-talk. Look for joy in nature. In other words, be kind to yourself. Remember that Hope remains, no matter the magnitude of troubles.
Find Support for the Journey
Many of the trials we humans face may be too much to carry alone. Thankfully, there are professionals who can help. There comes a day when an aging parent may need a care manager, or a parent who’s adapting to a child’s special needs may need counsel. Others may simply need a friend. Asking for the help you need doesn’t make you weak. Sharing the load increases resilience and ability to persevere. We find hope comes much easier with the right support.
Spend Time in Nature
Whether it’s a walk with the dog or coffee under a tree, spending time outdoors will help you reconnect to the world of which you are a part. Sunlight and fresh air offer health benefits, while the frolic of squirrels in the trees, the flutter of wings, or a rare hawk sighting will awaken your sense of wonder. Nature reminds us of the cycle of life, of which we are a part, and which is a part of us. Feeling our place in the web and our connection helps us persevere and find hope.
Love, Susan
That’s why our resilience and ability to persevere are so important. Here are 4 things you can do today to see your way through these difficult times and retain your sense of hope.
Give Yourself a Break
No-one can sustain high levels of stress for long periods of time without some negative health effects. So you’re going to need to drive a wedge between your obligations and your sanity. In that space, you’ll find the time to give yourself a break. Whether it’s a series of short breaks once a week, or a week away, it’s something you must do in order to persevere when pressures are high.
Be Kind to Yourself
In order to persevere, you will need to consciously refill your inner well each day. Surround yourself with comforting rituals: a cup of tea, a hot bath, a conversation with a friend. Realize that you are doing the best you can in these circumstances. Smile at your heart. Practice gratitude. Be positive in your self-talk. Look for joy in nature. In other words, be kind to yourself. Remember that Hope remains, no matter the magnitude of troubles.
Find Support for the Journey
Many of the trials we humans face may be too much to carry alone. Thankfully, there are professionals who can help. There comes a day when an aging parent may need a care manager, or a parent who’s adapting to a child’s special needs may need counsel. Others may simply need a friend. Asking for the help you need doesn’t make you weak. Sharing the load increases resilience and ability to persevere. We find hope comes much easier with the right support.
Spend Time in Nature
Whether it’s a walk with the dog or coffee under a tree, spending time outdoors will help you reconnect to the world of which you are a part. Sunlight and fresh air offer health benefits, while the frolic of squirrels in the trees, the flutter of wings, or a rare hawk sighting will awaken your sense of wonder. Nature reminds us of the cycle of life, of which we are a part, and which is a part of us. Feeling our place in the web and our connection helps us persevere and find hope.
Love, Susan
