Harnessing the potential power of post-traumatic growth and unlocking the resilience within
By Albert Nguyen, LCSW
The unfortunate reality is that there is no such thing as a life lived free from stress, sadness, or suffering. Throughout our lives we will be faced with situations and circumstances that put our hearts, minds, and body in harm and distress. From the emotional suffering experienced during a divorce to the trauma suffered after a horrific accident, the loss of a loved one to the crippling terror after being the victim of a violent crime – terrible experiences in our lives can have lasting impact that have the potential to haunt us our entire lives if we let them.
Being human can be mind-numbingly hard at times, and that isn’t an exaggeration. When faced with pain, discomfort, or trauma, the human mind can literally shutdown. An evolutionary response during times of distress, the brain can shut down a variety of basic processes, halting emotional or personal growth in order to protect us. These defense mechanisms, while designed to protect us during times of stress and/or trauma, can create massive disruptions in our lives – impacting our work, our relationships, and our physical health. However, within each of us is the power of personal resilience and growth through times of discomfort and trauma.
Understanding Resilience
Resilience is defined as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, an ability to spring back after adversity. The importance of emotional resiliency in navigating day to day life cannot be overstated, as it provides us the fundamental tools and mechanisms that will help protect our emotional and physical well-being in times that can be overwhelming. Resiliency allows each of us the ability to navigate life’s ups and downs in a balanced and measured way that promotes personal growth and overall wellness.
Post-Traumatic Growth and Bouncing Back
While destructive, painful, and at times debilitating, each traumatic event experienced is an opportunity to build personal resiliency and a chance to move forward in the world with a greater appreciation for life, and a newfound gratitude for one’s own strength.
“On the other side of pain is untapped power and potential.”
The beauty of resiliency is that the human mind can grow stronger and prepare each of us to be tougher, wiser, and more confident when facing adversity in the future. By surviving and thriving during times of trouble, we rewire our brain for future success, increase our tolerance for challenges, and reduce stress when faced with other moments of discomfort and trouble.
“Anything less than your toughest challenge will no longer shatter you.”
Rewriting the Trauma Narrative
Each of us has the power to rewrite the story of traumatic experiences in our lives. By choosing to no longer be a victim of circumstance, we are able to guide our lives in a controlled and intentional way with confidence and self-reliance. One of the most direct and effective ways to build personal resiliency is through deliberate, measured, and gradual exposure to anxiety provoking situations. Much like any muscle in the body, the mind can be trained to perform at peak performance. By carefully and cautiously placing ourselves into stressful situations, we are able to build our resiliency and strengthen our ability to respond to future stress and trauma in a healthier manner – resulting in improved self-esteem and boosted confidence. The process can be uncomfortable – but remember this: discomfort is a symptom for growth.
“Understand that you can be filled with doubt, fear, uncertainty, and still succeed. This is the building block of courage.”
Your First Steps to Unlocking Resilience
While working with a licensed counselor or mental health professional is preferred when working through personal trauma, there are several starting points you can start doing immediately to begin building your personal resiliency and creating a stronger and healthier response to stress and trauma – past, present, and future.
- Examine Your Anxiety – Write down the things in your life that cause you stress or trigger your anxiety. It is common for us to want to avoid unpleasant situations, but studies show that this often increase anxiety in the long run.
- Mindset Shift – Refocus by seeing opportunities when there are disappointments. Reframing your perspective can redirect your focus, without ignoring negative experiences. Accept the things you cannot change and focus on the things you can.
- Journal Your Experiences – Review your anxiety and stress – look for crossover and potential ties between the two. Building self-awareness and insight into your response patterns gives you more control and has the potential to break the “auto-pilot” and negative habit.
- Push Your Boundaries – With a better understanding of your experiences, stressors, and anxieties, you can start to push out of your comfort zone. Each time you push the threshold of your tolerance, you build new resilience to prepare you for future difficulties – all while healing and transforming troubles of the past.
Each life will experience difficult and traumatic times, but through thoughtful, intentional and gradual exposure to challenges and stressors, we are able to build a sense of psychological immunity, much like how our immune system can physically create antibodies to fight off harmful illnesses. Thus, creating a stronger and happier future. Resilience is a journey, not a destination.
