Are you on a health journey? If so, you know that it can be both challenging and rewarding. There are many things to consider as you work to improve your health, including cultivating resilience. Resiliency is important for everyone, but it’s especially crucial when you’re trying to make changes in your life. Here are some tips for building resilience while on a health journey.
WHAT IS RESILIENCY?
Resiliency is the ability to adapt and cope in the face of adversity. It’s an important skill to have because it helps you to keep going even when things are tough. Resilience is what allows you to bounce back from setbacks and continue working towards your goals.
Mental strength is a key component of resilience. If you can learn to manage your thoughts and emotions, you’ll be better equipped to handle difficult situations. This doesn’t mean that you won’t feel pain or setbacks, but it does mean that you’ll be able to cope with them in a healthy way.
HEALTH JOURNEY
When patients come to us, we always tell them that adopting a healthy lifestyle is a journey, not a sprint. This means that there will be ups and downs along the way. It can be easy to be discouraged when you have a setback, but it’s important to remember that this is all part of the process.
Since we offer Functional Medicine services, the majority of patients come to us with complaints such as fatigue, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, and mood swings. They’ve often been to multiple doctors and tried many different things, but nothing has worked. As a result, they can be feeling frustrated, hopeless, and even a little bit angry.
It’s important to remember that these feelings are normal. It’s also normal to feel like giving up at times. It can be easy to give up when you feel like you’ve tried everything, but it’s important to remember that there is always hope. However, it’s important to keep going. If you can cultivate resilience, you’ll be more likely to stick with your health journey and see the results that you’re looking for.
TIPS FOR CULTIVATING RESILIENCY
- ADAPT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
One of the best ways to cultivate resilience is to adopt a positive attitude. This doesn’t mean that you have to be happy all the time or that you should ignore your problems. It simply means that you should try to focus on the good things in your life and look for the silver lining in every situation. When you have a positive outlook, you’re more likely to see the possibilities instead of the obstacles.
2. BE MINDFUL OF YOUR THOUGHTS
Your thoughts play a big role in how you feel and how you react to difficult situations. If you find yourself thinking negative thoughts, try to reframe them in a more positive light. For example, instead of thinking “I can’t do this,” try thinking “I can do this.”
It’s also important to be mindful of the language that you use. For instance, instead of saying “I have to go to the gym,” try saying “I get to go to give my body daily movement.” This small change in language can make a big difference in how you feel.
3. LEVERAGE CHALLENGES AS OPPORTUNITIES
When you’re on a health journey, it’s important to see challenges as opportunities. This means that instead of feeling discouraged when you have a setback, you should use it as a chance to learn and grow. Maybe you didn’t stick to your diet as well as you wanted to this week. That’s okay! Use it as an opportunity to reflect on what went well and what you could improve next week.
4. SET REALISTIC GOALS
One of the best ways to set yourself up for success is to set realistic goals. This means that your goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. At our practice, we create plans of action that help patients set and achieve their health goals.
5. CREATE A SUPPORT SYSTEM
You don’t have to go through your health journey alone. In fact, it’s often helpful to create a support system of friends, family, or even healthcare professionals. When you have people to lean on, you’ll be more likely to stay on track with your health journey.
Cultivating resilience is an important part of being successful on a health journey. By adopting a positive attitude, being mindful of your thoughts, and setting realistic goals, you’ll be more likely to stick with your healthy lifestyle and see the results that you’re looking for.
