Focus on the positive: A positive and optimistic outlook give you the needed energy to face difficult situations directly. You imagine where you want to be, and how the future might contain new possibilities. Even in difficult times, your life has some positive aspects. Instead of expecting continued negatives, look for positives. (Change the channel in your mind from negative to positive). Visualize a future in which things are going well.
Have confidence in yourself: You've overcome problems before and you've seen other people do so successfully too. Remember those times. You have survived! Recognize that you have the ability to learn and use resilience skills to deal more effectively with stressful circumstances. Trust your ability to cope successfully.
Put things in perspective: Put your current problems into context and maintain a long-term perspective. Things won't always be like they are now! Change is a natural part of life. You cannot always prevent bad things from happening, but you can control your reactions to them. Avoid seeing crises as insurmountable problems. Notice small improvements in yourself and in the situation over time.
Additional Resources
For more information about developing resilience, go to www.apa.org/helpcenter and www.liveyourlifewell.org.
Our 24 page .pdf slide show is available here: Resilience FACTS.
If you want to talk to someone about fostering resilience in times of disaster, call American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health at 701-364-1800.
This information provided by Red River Resilience (March, 2010).
