July’s Mindfulness Monthly Memo focuses on finding ways to bounce back.  Everyone has ups and downs–difficulties are part of life for everyone.  We all experience small daily frustrations, everyday stresses, and sometimes bigger upsets, failures, unexpected changes, and challenges.  Being resilient doesn’t mean we will never feel pain, upset, hurt, sadness, fear, or anger.  It means in the moment or over time, we can find ways to cope constructively, accept what has happened, adapt, and eventually move forward. 

If you’d like to become more resilient, try some of these tips:

• Build your self-esteem.  Knowing your value and strength can be a huge help when you’re facing a challenge!  Try listing five things you love about yourself or taking a moment at the end of each day to think of one reason you’re proud of yourself.
• Manage your stress.  When hard times come, it’s helpful to already have a coping plan.  That might mean blocking time for yoga or meditation, setting hours to have your phone on do not disturb, or breaking big projects into smaller, manageable tasks.  
• Hold onto your purpose.  Get grounded by reminding yourself what it’s all for.  Identifying your purpose can help you escape the stress and return to what’s most important.  
• Rely on your network.  Recognize when and who to ask for help.  Your support system is called that for a reason!  There are people around you who love and care about you and will be more than happy to help–all you have to do is ask.
• Put things in perspective.  In life, some things are out of your control–accept that you’ve done your best and that you just can’t worry about it sometimes.

Getting more resilient takes time and practice.  If you don’t feel you are making progress or you don’t know where to start, talk with a mental health professional.  With guidance, you can improve your resiliency and mental well-being.

We hope you find this month’s resources and wellness events helpful in supporting you on your self-care journey.