7 Steps to Becoming More Resilient

At a young age we learn resilience through overcoming smaller obstacles that we face, such as standing up and dusting ourselves off after being pushed down on the playground. As we age, we tend to forget how to use resilience to overcome obstacles when our problems become much larger and more frightening like the deteriorating health of you or a loved one.

Tara Parker-Pope of the New York Times shares new techniques on how adults can maintain and create resilience through hardships in her article, How to Build Resilience in Midlife. Tara provides 7 simple steps to becoming more resilient that we believe directly relate to the importance of planning for a long term care event:

Practice optimism”: It’s no surprise that surrounding yourself with positive people and keeping your thoughts productive is something that can affect how you handle setbacks.

LTC: Planning against future risks, can help you remain optimistic about how you will manage future care needs, and help you keep open your options for where you might receive care.


Rewrite your story”: Use setbacks as a way to grow! Often, stressful times are a way to better ourselves so that we are more prepared to face challenges in the future.

LTC: Creating a plan while you are young and healthy means that you can remain the author of your story, and that your wishes can be upheld.


Take stress breaks”: When we overcome stress and relax our minds, we grow as individuals and become more equipped to handle future stress.

LTC: Having a plan in place can help eliminate the stress on caregivers. Insurance can mean access to more resources, such as respite care, where professionals can come in to provide a brief respite to family caregivers.


Don’t personalize it“: Nobody can be certain of what will happen to them as they age.

LTC: Instead of blaming personal choices for the condition of your health, rest assured that planning for your future needs is something good you can do for yourself and your future.


Support others”: Helping others build their own resilience is one of the best ways to create a meaningful life.

LTC: When you plan for long term care needs you are not only protecting yourself, but protecting the ones you love from the burden of unpaid caregiving as well.


Remember your comebacks”: When faced with adversity, it’s often helpful to recall times when you overcame something that seemed just as difficult.

LTC: In situations related to your heath, it is also helpful to remember the financial cushion you may have built for yourself with a long term care policy.


Get out of your comfort zone”: Putting yourself in unique and challenging situations is the final way to build your resilience.

LTC: If you have set a plan in place to accommodate your long term care needs, you are far more likely to feel free to live your life to the fullest. Start tackling that bucket list!


 

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