Ways to stay mentally resilient

Times may be tougher than usual, but a matching mental state can help you handle that. Here’s a few tips on getting there.

Whether you realise it or not, you’ve been affected by the universal flat patch that is known as the year 2020.

It may be something as simple as your favourite pub or café closing, all forms of footy disappearing from TV, or even something as serious as a job loss or unwelcome diagnosis. Or perhaps working from home, home schooling or an empty office with strict social distancing is starting to take its toll.

Fortunately, a few small tweaks and easy techniques around the way you think can have big, positive impact down the track. Read on for more tips on fortifying your mental resilience.  

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Ways to think with more resilience

Acknowledge the constant change of this time. With new news announced regularly, in a strange way, everything’s changing all the time, but also staying the same.

It’s okay to miss aspects of your routine – Coffee with friends and colleagues, playing sport, or catching up with interstate family.

Try acknowledging the feelings that go along with missing out on things like this right now.

We know it’s a cliché – but try looking on the bright side

Acknowledge what you like about the situation. New exercise routines, more time with family and pets, more time for cooking, and more rest.

Be aware that our brains may be reacting to a threat and we may find ourselves more tired, grumpy and/or anxious. Regularly using mindfulness practices can help.

The motto – “Accept the things I cannot change. Change what I can and have the wisdom to know the difference” is a good guide right now.

And remember, while you can’t re-open international borders, you can check in on family, friends and colleagues on video platforms.

Behaviours that can promote resilience right now:

• Maintain daily routines – exercise at least one a day with a quick workout before your work starts, a lunch time dog walk or an online yoga session in the evening. Try to stick to start and finish times for work and don’t overwork. Take a lunch break.
• Walking is a particular great activity to do in that it is exercise, a way to practice mindfulness and an opportunity to be outside for a change of scene – especially when you’re responsibly walking on the right side of your local social distancing regulations
• Set a reminder on your phone for ‘pause meditations’– even if you just stop for 30 seconds allow yourself to breath slowly in and out 3 times.
• Eat well. Cook a little extra so there are leftovers to look forward to in the fridge.

Buy healthy snacks so eating well is easy.

• In non-work time engage in flow activities that keep you focused in the moment – gardening, art, reading, crafts, cooking, puzzles, play
• Set up virtual dinners or drinks with friends, or virtual quiz evenings, or even virtual karaoke. Some streaming services have a function where groups can watch shows together (like going to the movies). Make phone calls to people. Stay connected.

It may also be an excellent exercise to make a list of things that you want to keep from this time. Do you want to remain organised, keep cooking, keep gardening, keep Sunday afternoon naps, keep having virtual time with friends far away?

There are some things we miss, some things we don’t and some things we will keep – take some time to acknowledge these things. Keep exercising, keep being mindful, keep connecting, keep well.

Need some stress relief? Our free Yoga, Pilates virtual OS Fitness classes might help.  

Looking for a way to bring your family together, explore our Family Plans.

This article was produced with the help of our friends at Benestar. Be your best you.  

This article is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, heal or prevent any disease or medical condition. We encourage you to do your own research and to discuss with a qualified healthcare practitioner the options that could work the best for your specific circumstances.