Copyright © 2020 Lee Spirit 

We are currently in a state of Covid-19 emergency with partial lock-downs across the province. The world has turned upside-down, and tempers are flaring. When things get a little crazy like this, all I can be is grateful that we still have access to these beautiful mountains not far away. This is a place that helps restore our energy, and reminds us of the importance of resilience during changing times.

Resilience Defined

What is resilience, you ask? It is the ability to recover quickly from difficulties, to accept and adapt to change, and to bounce back from set-backs. It doesn’t mean that you never feel angry, frustrated, or depressed. But you are able to seek out what is needed for your well-being, and ask for help when needed.

Resilience Tips To Get You Back On Track

There are a few great ways we can practice resiliency to avoid having a breakdown when times are tough:

• Get into a regular routine
• Exercise regularly
• Get outside into nature
• Limit social media and news watching
• Notice how you are feeling
• Stay connected to your friends, family, community, and loved ones
• Focus on what you can control

You can also check out this post on Finding Inner Peace During Turbulent Times.

Setting a Routine

It can really help to structure your time and your day. For example, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day puts the body into a regular rhythm and flow. This reduces tiredness, even if you think waking up early doesn’t do you any good when you feel like you need more sleep. When we’re less tired, we function better and have a clear mind.

We can also plan our meals ahead of time, and prep the food in advance if we don’t feel like cooking or have the time to cook. This can free up a lot of energy. It’s also a good idea to write a task list if we have a lot to do, so that it’s organized in our minds. For instance, we can schedule when we look away from our computers, get up and stretch our legs, or go for a walk to get some fresh air and exercise. We can set time aside each morning or evening for silent meditation. All of this added structure and organization can help clear our minds and make us more resilient.

Staying Physically Active in Nature

Regular physical activity can help us achieve resilience in that it gets our bodily systems and blood flowing. The greater the oxygenated blood to our brains, the better we feel in mind, body, and spirit. Then we can adapt to change and be more resilient. You may think you don’t want to be an olympic athlete, but all it takes is baby steps to fitness. It can start with a short walk, and progress to something longer as you are able. I’ve always felt that a physical activity isn’t worth pursuing if you don’t like it. So find what works for you, what is fun for you, and you will be able to keep at it. The best physical activity for me happens outside in nature, where the trees help us breathe, the air is fresh, and the birds and butterflies are a flutter.

Monitoring Social Media and News

During times like these, many of us are glued to the news and the social media feeds, trying to get the latest on what’s happening out there. While we need to know what to do and what not to do, it gets a bit overwhelming. I, for one, sometimes spend hours on the newsfeed, as well as listening to every health update. My eyeballs go googly, which is an indication that I need to shut the computer down, and do something healthier.

A walk in the sun, a yoga routine, or meditation between work and evening life have been very helpful! We can get caught up in the negativity that lives in social media and the news. It takes over our thoughts and affects our moods and attitudes. It makes us forget about compassion and kindness towards others.

Resilience and Observing How You Feel

When we become witness to what is going on inside of us – in body first, and then in mind – we begin to see how we are really feeling inside. If we have a gut ache, for example, it may be a sign that we are anxious, worried, or upset about something. When we notice how we feel in our physical bodies, it teaches us how we feel mentally. This awareness can help with resilience, as we can learn to rise above our own negative energies.

Staying Connected To Others and Ourselves

When we notice how we feel, we are staying connected with ourselves. The awareness of what we see, hear, taste, touch, smell, and sense brings us back to the present moment. It’s important to stay connected to ourselves, and also to other people so that we can be more resilient in lonely, isolated, locked-down times like these. We can connect with others by calling or texting a friend to see if they’re okay. Other people can offer a fresh perspective, or share common values with us making us feel seen and heard. If we prioritize spending time together, be it on Zoom, Skype, or the phone, our mental health and resilience improve substantially. Sometimes all we need is a good laugh with a friend or family member to help us get through difficult times.

I want to end by quoting one of my favourite songs, “Resilient”, by Rising Appalachia: “I am resilient, I trust the movement, I negate the chaos, uplift the negative. I’ll show up at the table again and again and again. I close my mouth and learn to listen.”

Lee Spirit is an avid outdoors adventurer with a love for nature, photography, health & fitness, wellness, and spirituality. Her own personal journey has led her to the  study and practice of mindfulness, health, wellness, yoga, spirituality, sound healing, meditation, and personal development for over 20 years. Get my free report on Managing Stress during troubled times.