Around this time of year many of us are making (and breaking!) new years resolutions, reflecting on how we want to do things differently this year and choosing a word as a focus for the year ahead. I don't have a problem with these types of activities and it's nice to tap into the collective energy of making a fresh start, but past January most of these intentions fall by the wayside.
I love chatting with my naturopathy clients in January because we reflect on the year that was, and start planning for the new year ahead. You are much more likely to set goals that you are going to achieve, if you have the support of someone who can help you become more clear on your desires (and keep you accountable along the way). That's where I step in, and I love helping my clients stay on track.
Interestingly during these discussions, the concept of resilience has started to come up a lot. Like, a lot! The last few years have taken a huge toll on many people and the current financial and economic climate is challenging for many. If you are feeling tired and overwhelmed, you are not alone. Rather that making resolutions to lose weight, "eat clean" or say no more, I urge you to build more resilience. I promise if you make this a focus, 2024 is going to be a great year for you.
Building resilience is the key to not only weathering the storms that are an inevitable part of life, but helping you emerging stronger from them. Who doesn't want more of that in their lives?!?!? In this blog post, I will explore practical strategies for building resilience which will empower YOU to face adversity with grace and fortitude.
1. Foster a Growth Mindset: Resilience flourishes in the soil of a growth mindset. Embracing challenges as opportunities for learning and personal development can be a challenge, but with daily work and commitment, you can change the way you think. Understanding that setbacks are not indicative of failure but rather stepping stones toward improvement is a game changer. Adopting a growth mindset allows you to view challenges as a natural part of the journey, because they are!
2. Prioritise Self-Care: Resilience is closely tied to physical and emotional well-being. This is something that I have experience a lot lately. 2023 was an incredibly challenging year for me personally and the main way that I was able to improve my mental health and wellbeing, was through cultivating consistent daily self-care practices. This included getting adequate sleep (having clear boundaries about a consistent bedtime and saying no to another episode on netflix!), exercising regularly (strength training does wonders) and nourishing my body with nutritious foods (with a special focus on adeqaute protein intake). Taking care of your physical health enhances your ability to cope with stress and adversity.
3. Embrace Change as a Constant: Life is dynamic, and change is inevitable. Resilient individuals adapt to change with flexibility and openness. Instead of resisting or fearing change, embrace it as a constant in life. This mindset shift allows you to navigate transitions more smoothly and view them as opportunities for personal and professional growth. The only constant is change. Accepting this means you can appreciate that bad times don't last forever whist being able to really enjoy positive experiences by living in the moment
4. Set Realistic Goals: Resilience is built on small victories and achievements. Set realistic goals that align with your values and aspirations. Breaking down larger tasks into manageable steps makes the journey more attainable and helps you celebrate incremental successes, reinforcing your resilience. Don't forget to celebrate this small things too! Because when you look back you realise that the little things are actual the most important things.
5. Take some herbs! I had to add this in. I honestly think that incorporating herbal medicine into your daily routine can have an incredibly impactful effect on your life. Consuming adaptagenic herbs daily can increase resilience by helping you adapt to stressful life situations so that you can thrive rather than just survive in the face of adversity. Some of my favourites include rhodiola, withania, holy basil, korean ginseng and licorice. I take herbs every single day!
6. Practice Mindfulness and Stress Reduction: Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and deep breathing exercises, can help manage stress and build resilience. These techniques promote a sense of calm and focus, allowing you to respond to challenges with a clear mind and emotional stability.
Building resilience is an ongoing process that requires intentional effort and a commitment to personal growth. If you truly want to weather life's storms with ease and flow, working on building your resilience will build a strong foundation to help move through adversity in a healthy way. By incorporating the practices I have outlined above, you can navigate life's challenges with ease and grace. Resilience is not about avoiding difficulties but about developing the inner strength to face them with courage and resilience.
If you are looking to book a naturopathy appointment with me so we can work together to help you become more resilient, book your free discovery call or appointment here