One coping skill to develop with type 2 diabetes is resilience

There are three types of resilience. Natural resilience is what you are born with and relates to a zest for life and a tendency to try new things. Adaptive resilience is when you experience difficult circumstances that compel you to grow and adapt, leaving you stronger than before. Finally, restored resilience develops out of learning and using deliberate techniques to strengthen your skills.

What does it mean to be resilient? It means having a positive attitude, a tendency to look at challenges and mistakes as opportunities and recognizing your own limits. Some key attributes include patience, optimism, a sense of humor and a tolerance for negative feelings.

This is not about taking on a “Polly-Anna-ish” attitude, this is about you taking a look at your strengths. If you are not an optimistic person, you likely have another skill that helps you overcome the uncomfortable and sometimes painful things in your life.

I was afraid of making mistakes most of my life. I was embarrassed and believed people thought very badly about me. This attitude kept me from taking chances in my life, to try new things, especially things that scared me. So, I changed my beliefs to see, based on my actual history that mistakes were opportunities, often blessings in disguise. With this shift, my life felt expanded. I felt more flexible, more confident and more optimistic.

So many things in life are out of my control that distress me – what is happening in our country, the violence and unrest in the world, the pain and suffering of people, animals and our environment. I feel very sad and helpless when I think of these situations. BUT, I am not helpless, I do have control in my life and what actions I can take. I can respond differently to situations that are uncomfortable, I can set boundaries, I can allow my feelings to run away with me or stop and pay attention to what I’m feeling and why.

These are some of the skills that increase our ability to be resilient – to bounce back and not let the circumstances of life overwhelm us.

Here are 5 ways to improve your resilience:

1. Have a purpose. When you have a reason to be resilient, this can be the motivation you need to develop these skills. This might be improving your health for a long, healthy life.

2. Boost your confidence. Believe you can handle challenges and still thrive in the midst of difficulty. This might be setting boundaries in your life wherever they are needed for you.

3. Set goals. When you know what you are aiming for, this will also keep you motivated to keep moving forward. Setting goals around your health means making lifestyle changes and these can be challenging.

4. Develop or rely on your problem-solving skills. When you deal with any change in your life, problems will come up, fast and furious. When you expect them and have a plan for them, you feel more confident.

5. Reach out to loved ones you trust. Family and friends can allow you the space to vent your frustrations when you feel overwhelmed. I find as I am ranting and raving to my friends, answers to my problems come to me. What a gift, yes?

Look inside yourself and see what skills and actions you are ALREADY using, especially the ones that are working for you. Build on these and branch out to expand your abilities to cope even better with your diabetes and life’s uncertainties.

Dr Elaine

Download my free 30 Day Guide to Manage or Reverse Type 2 Diabetes 

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for advice about a specific medical condition.

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