Developing resiliency habits to promote mental wellness

Everyone faces difficult days. During these trying times COVID-19 has impacted our families, the way we engage or chose not to engage. For Samoans who thrive on familial connections this can be difficult. For victims of violence whose voices are silenced to shield embarrassment, or are beaten for sharing their voice it causes great internal stress. We are told to be patient. The world will come around, and we are told to wait. 
What if we chose a different response? That we can take action to control our situation by developing resiliency skills. When we are knocked down by life, why not use resiliency to come back stronger, to rise from the ashes.  In previous articles we have shared the benefit of optimism, and positive attitudes to change  outlook, to  change an individual’s course.    

We need to be around other people in moments of stress. There are others who share your feelings, concerns, and worries. Many times, when faced with a difficult situation we tend to isolate, but studies show sharing your worries, or struggles with someone you can trust can provide relief. Enjoy your surroundings. We live in such a beautiful place surrounded by beaches, green mountains, spectacular sunsets and sunrises. Nature improves our perspective.  

Create new goals and take action to
reach these goals. If a goal seems (like losing weight) seems insurmountable break it down to small steps that you can make (i.e. drink water for the day, walk for five minutes). The focus is to find ways to motivate yourself to act to take one small step. You can learn to breathe to center and ground yourself during stressful moments. Breathing helps with mindfulness as you are required to listen to your breathing in that moment. Use a journal to write about those thoughts that weigh you down and identify daily struggles. If you are not accustomed to focusing or writing about yourself this practice can be extremely challenging, but if you work on it every day with intention it has proven to help move people to finding a safe space. Lastly, each day write three things you are grateful for. Practice this for over a period of 30 days and you will see the change in your outlook when challenges arise. 
Each month the Alliance will continue to share actions that can help to change your state of mind and heal from stressful moments. You can do one or all the tips provided. Remember action to wellness is what will take you to a healthy place.