Times of crisis can sometimes bring out both the very best along with the worst in us. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve come across stories of individuals hoarding products and selling them to make an excessive profit, together with stories of heroes who selflessly met the needs of others despite their particular fears.
The secret to weathering the storms which are certain to arise during our lives in a healthy and balanced way is resiliency. Mia Bartoletti, clinical psychologist for the Navy SEAL Foundation, works jointly with families of individuals serving in the armed forces, and provides tips which will help improve resilience through any time of crisis.
- Discuss your reactions. It is normal to experience various responses to a crisis: flashbacks to other overwhelming situations, dreams and nightmares, withdrawal and avoidance, trouble with sleeping, irritability, problems with focus and concentration, and hypervigilance. What’s crucial is to make certain these reactions are short-lived, and don’t advance into long-term psychological problems. Accept your feelings, and express them with a reliable confidante, or write them in a journal.
- Continue to keep social connections. While your reaction might be to pull away from close friends and family during a crisis, keeping in touch on a regular basis with individuals you care about is crucial. Locating a support group, whether in person or online, is yet another great way to ensure you are growing and preserving social ties, allowing you to speak with others in the same circumstance.
- Take some time for self-care. This means something different to every single person, but it should include relaxing activities, engaging hobbies and interests, nutritious meals, a good amount of sleep, and physical exercise. If you find that it is hard to carve out time for yourself while caring for elderly parents, Independence-4-Seniors Home Care is always available to partner with you to provide reliable respite care. Caring for yourself enables you to take better care of those you love.
- Understand what you can control – and what you cannot. Letting go of what’s beyond your control and concentrating instead on what you CAN control is one of the foundations of resilience. Psychologist Mary Alvord, who founded Resilience Across Borders, explains, “Depression is hopelessness and helplessness, and so resilience is the opposite. No, you’re not helpless; you do have control over many aspects of your life.”
It is always smart to seek professional counseling when your responses to stressful situations are impeding your ability to maintain a sense of calm and to tend to the necessary daily activities of living. And, look for signs that older family members are experiencing undue quantities of stress so that you can obtain the help that they need as well.
Recognize that no matter what life may bring, you can rely on Independence-4-Seniors Home Care to walk beside you with dependable, knowledgeable aging care services that inspire older adults to remain resilient and independent. Contact us at (630) 323-4665 to learn more about our exceptional DuPage County home care services and to set up a free in-home assessment.