Changes, both good and bad, are a part of life. Learning from mentally strong people can make big changes, easier.

 

Major changes are a part of life. There are times or even years when things may be quiet or consistent, then suddenly major changes happen. They can be expected or planned changes like a new job or the birth of a child, or unexpected changes that come out of nowhere. New jobs, marriage, divorce, relocations, deaths, natural disasters can shake up even the strongest people. As change is inevitable in life, there are things mentally strong people do to navigate changes. These skills and attitudes help build resilience and can help make difficult processes, easier.

Resilience is defined as the ability to “bounce back” from adversity and stressful life events. Researchers have found that building resilience includes appropriate coping strategies, such as optimism and the ability to problem solve while managing overwhelming emotions. Additionally, research supports the idea that resilience factors can promote well-being and reduce the risk of mental health issues such as long term post-traumatic stress, anxiety, or depression. Therefore, knowing these techniques may help you navigate major changes with more ease.

7 Ways Mentally Strong People Navigate Life Changes

  1. Acceptance and time: They accept (and do not resist) that life is full of chapters that end and begin. Also, they know that time is of the essence: there is a time limited frame on upheaval and discomfort. Nothing lasts forever, and that things will settle, and pass with time.
  2. They plan where they can: They begin making small changes or breaking up very large tasks into bite size manageable increments. They may establish daily rituals toward their goals to make it easier. Also, they may continue their daily rituals during the process such as exercise, mediation, devotional activities etc., that help with their inner equilibrium and peace while dealing with external chaos.
  3. They encourage a flexible mind set: Mentally strong people approach problems and changes with flexibility. They try to accept it rather than resist it. Changing the way you look at the “shift happening” with new ways of thinking such as “I accept this change for the better” or “what you resists, persists” or “this change is meant to be and all is well” can help shift to a flexible mindset.
  4. They promote a resilient attitude: They remember the times they bounced back from “bad” times or times of great adversity in their life. Therefore, asking yourself things like: how did that turn out? What were the benefits from that period of change? Am I better off for it? And most importantly, what did I learn and gain from the experience? All reflective questions can help promote resilience.
  5. They lean on support: Mentally strong people know how to reach out and be resourceful. This includes the valuable resource of social support. Talking with trusted friends, family, or even journaling about it has cathartic benefits that may be equivalent to therapy. Sharing and processing your feelings provides an outlet to discharge them and keep going.
  6. They are perseverant and tenacious: They know that upheaval and discomfort are a part of the process of change. Mentally strong people normalize and accept this and summon their tenacity and perseverance. They know these times will pass and are determined and persistent in facing obstacles or setbacks. This “grit” helps with their long term successes in all areas of their life.
  7. They lean on their optimism: They use optimistic frameworks. For example, they look at their self-efficacy, the confidence to achieve tasks based on history. Reflective questions such as: when have I been successful in my life after a major change? What good things did the change bring? How strong am I that I was able to get through (insert x ..) experience, which may have been harder than this? Also, they may look at the good things this change will bring and promote optimism thought the consistent use of gratitude practice (What was the blessing in disguise?). Mentally strong people tap into their optimistic attitudes by changing what they think, and focusing on what they are grateful for.

 

Changes can be hard. Life always throws us curveballs. But, in time, we can not only grow and get stronger and more resilient, but we can choose to see the silver linings.

 

Copyright 2024: Dr. Tracy Hutchinson, Ph.D. 

Would you like to learn more? Contact Dr. Tracy Hutchinson today »

 

 

References:

Childs E., White, T., & Whit, H. (2014). Personality traits modulate emotional and physiological responses to stress. Behavioral Pharmacology. 25, 493-502. doi:10.1097/FBP.000000000000006.

Everly, G., McCormack, D., & Strouse, D. (2012). Seven Characteristics of Highly Resilient People: Insights from Navy SEALs to the ‘Greatest Generation’. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 14, 2, 137-143, 2012, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2118935

Hou, J.-M., & Skovholt, T. M. (2020). Characteristics of highly resilient therapists. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 67(3), 386–400. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000401

Smith, B. W., Dalen, J., Wiggins, K., Tooley, E., Christopher, P., & Bernard, J. (2008). The brief resilience scale: assessing the ability to bounce back International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 15(3), 194-200.0.