Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Caregiver Resilience: What It Is and Why It Matters for Family Caregivers | Griswold

Caregiver Resilience: What It Is and Why It Matters for Family Caregivers | Griswold


In Resilience, Steven Southwick and Dennis Charney (2012) outline ten ways that resilient people tend to cope with stress.  The good news is that these can be learned and developed.
1.      Realistic Optimism: Viewing life in a hopeful,

confident way. Anticipating a bright future.  Believing that good things

are coming and hard work will yield success.  Realistic optimism is the

foundation of resilience, and fuels each of the following resilience

factors.
2.    Social Support: Connecting with other people by

seeking out and accepting help that is offered, and also by giving help

to those in need.
3.   Facing Fear: Using thoughts and behaviors to triumph

over fear.  Acting in spite of fear to accomplish goals and become

stronger.
4.   Religion and Spirituality: Turning to God, or a Higher

Power.  Engaging in formal religious services or private spiritual

practices.  Finding inspiration in nature or the arts.
5.   Meaning, Purpose and Growth:  Finding strength and

courage by pursuing an inspiring goal.  Using adversity as a catalyst

for growth.  Actively serving a purpose that is greater than

self-interest.  Transcending traumatic experiences by helping others who

have been traumatized.  Choosing to be a victor, rather than a victim.  
6.  Moral compass/Altruism: Engaging in right actions and avoiding doing wrong. Thinking of and serving others.
7.   Role models: Imitating people who demonstrate positive

ways of handling adversity.  Identifying real people, living or dead;

fictional characters, famous individuals or historic figures.

 Replicating small aspects of their behavior that have led to positive,

desired outcomes.
8.  Training: Improve physical health and preventing or

diminishing the effects of chronic illnesses by keeping the body fit.

 Mastering physical challenges to also improve mental health and

emotional regulation.   
9.  Brain fitness: Focusing thoughts, and challenging the

mind so the intellect is sharp and continues to grow.  Regulating

emotions to eliminate feelings that undermine effective coping.
10.  Flexibility: Employing a variety of mental and

emotional strategies to handle adversity; accept what can’t be changed;

learn from failure; transform negative energy into positive energy; and

find opportunity and meaning in adversity.