Psychological Resilience- How to cope with stress Psychological resilience means the ability to mentally or emotionally cope with a crisis or to return to pre-crisis status quickly. Crisis in life means major sudden or unexpected events or situations in life that affects a person emotionally. Types of crisis situations in life- 1. Major life events like sudden death of loved ones in the family, detection of life threatening illness like cancer 2. Family disruptions like divorce, abusive relations in family 3. Major economic changes like loss of job, lay-offs, loss in business 4. Natural disasters – earthquakes, tsunami, floods Recent on-going COVID 19 Pandemic is striking example of major crisis that has left the whole world standstill. There are increasing more number of COVID cases and increasing death rates currently. Lockdown situation has affected everyone. There is huge impact economically leaving many unemployed, lack of earnings. Getting day to day life essential goods is a task now. How does crisis situation affect us mentally? Each change in life brings flood of thoughts and strong set of feelings. Every person feels thinks and acts differently to same set of situations. This uncertainty during stressful situations gives rise to anxiety, worrying of future, panic attacks, sleep disturbances, irritability, and frustration. This starts affecting our mood, unable to focus or concentrate at work, decreased creativity and productivity at work and negative outlook about life. There are thoughts of hopelessness from future and in extreme cases thoughts of ending life or suicidal thoughts comes in due to helpless uncertain situations. Many try unhealthy ways of coping stress like using alcohol and drugs to escape from situation. Positive outlook in handling the crisis But this major crisis will teach us how to cope with this current situation and many more crises that may come in our future. Thus, Resilience is process of adapting well during stressful situations- family and relationship problems, health issues both physical and emotional or work and financial stressors. Developing resilience is not overnight journey. It needs consistent efforts and patience to walk our resilient path. It is all about discovering your strengths and utilising them in our difficult phase of life. How to build resilience 1. Acceptance of situation which you cannot change It is normal to feel uncertain, unsettled in stressful situation. But we must be aware when you are worrying, remind yourself ‘worrying doesn’t help’. You must focus on present moment. Refocus into ‘NOW’ moment each time you slide into worrying mode 2. Identify your strengths and utilize it at right time Think of past challenging situations in your life – at work, in relationships and any other areas of life. How did you handle those challenging situations, who helped you at that time, what were your support system, what strengths of yours did you use to face and win those challenging situations. This task will help you to identify and appreciate your strengths and utilise in current stressful situation. 3. Reframe your thoughts positively It is important to introspect your thoughts.it is important to identify your negative thoughts, how are those thoughts helping you in present situation. Challenge your own negative thoughts, evaluate how realistic are those thoughts and reframe thoughts positively. 4. Take care of yourself We often stop taking care of ourselves, ignore our food, and stay awake late nights worrying about future affecting health physically and emotionally. Eat healthy, adequate sleep and yoga meditation exercise regularly. Pamper yourself, you are worth it. 5. Seek help Connect with your family and friends, share your thoughts and feelings with them, hear their thoughts as well. Listen to their suggestions and might be helpful too. Despite all above efforts and utilising your resources if you are still struggling with anxiety conflicting thoughts, psychiatrists are always available to hear you and help you with rightly advises. Let’s break this stigma and seek professional help at right time. Always remember you are not alone in this journey. You may not be able to control all aspects around you but can definitely focus on your life challenges and grow resilient in life. Stay happy. Spread the happiness. Psychiatrist in Pimpri Chinchwad | Anxiety stress management counselling in pcmc|