The Importance of Resilience during Crises

The current pandemic crisis has undoubtedly caused us heightened anxiety, fear, sorrow and worry. Such emotions are undeniably normal given the abrupt change and unpredictable repercussions on various levels. Little did we know that our lives will be turned upside down within couple of weeks! None of us has ever anticipated this global crisis. Nonetheless, we as a human species are adapting creatively. This in itself is an encouraging fact that highlights our resilience and unbreakable resourcefulness.

In this blog, I am inviting you to observe such courageous endeavours in yourself. What have you done to tolerate this distress or even turn it into positive outcome? Have you managed to create your “work-from-home” space despite all hurdles? Are you spending quality time with the significant people in your social circle? How about cleaning and taking care of over due household errands? Do you enjoy short walks with family and go back to take care of submitting your children’s homework online? Are you feeling the immense love and care towards the elderly members in your family, neighbours and community? Are you consciously taking care of yourself and others while contemplating on this precious however short life that we as humans have on this earth?

If any of the above applies to you then you probably have been practicing resilience, tapping into your own resources and turning helplessness into hopeful adaptation. With this in mind, I would like to invite you to ponder on such endeavours and acknowledge your own efforts and strength. Ask yourself about your strategies to wisely bend till the storm passes by. You will be surprised of how creative you have been!

In addition to the changes you have incorporated in your life I would like to encourage you to consider the following:

• Allocate the time and space to live a life of meaning and value. Life nowadays is really difficult for everyone. Nonetheless, finding ways to make it meaningful and purposeful is worth the effort.
• Set intentions to take control of your environment by discipline, hygiene and order.
• Manage your mental, physical, and emotional health. Practice relaxation techniques and mindfulness. Exercise regularly and eat healthily. 
• Find simple ways to induce pleasure in your life; a long forgotten hobby, or ignored items on your to-read, to-listen to or to-watch lists.
• Adjust your future plans with awareness and open mindedness to comply with you new conclusions about life, your role in it, and the way you want to experience it.

In conclusion, living a life of meaning and value can make more content and resilient through hard times, and more likely to positively influence the lives of others. As quoted from Avjeet Das “Sometimes life does not give us every thing that we want. But then that is what life is all about. You can't have happiness all the time. And neither can you have sadness all the time. But you can create a symphony out of happiness and sadness!”
Stay safe and well!