Grief is a natural and profound response to loss.
The death of a loved one, the end of a significant relationship, the loss of a job, or any other life-altering event, can feel overwhelming, affecting a person’s emotional, mental, and physical well-being.
With National Grief Awareness Day approaching on August 30, we felt it would be beneficial to share information on the ways that resilience training can help you navigate these powerful emotions and highlight some tools that can help when grief and sadness strike.
Resilience training offers a powerful toolset to help individuals navigate through the challenging journey of grief and emerge stronger, more adaptable, and capable of finding meaning and purpose in life once again.
What is resilience?
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity, to cope with life’s challenges, and to adapt positively to change. While some people seem to be naturally more resilient, it is a skill that can be learned and developed through resilience training. By building resilience, individuals can better manage the emotional turmoil of grief, find new ways to process their loss, and ultimately rebuild their lives.
What are the components of resilience training?
Emotional Regulation: Grieving often leads to intense emotions that can be overwhelming. Resilience training teaches individuals how to identify and regulate these emotions, creating a healthier emotional balance. Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing can help individuals stay present and reduce the intensity of negative emotions.
Cognitive Restructuring: The way we think about loss and the events surrounding it can significantly impact the grieving process. Resilience training helps individuals challenge negative thought patterns, reframe their perspectives, and focus on personal growth and learning from the experience.
Social Support: Grief can be isolating, and having a strong support system is crucial. Resilience training emphasizes the importance of connecting with others who can offer understanding, empathy, and encouragement. Group therapy or support groups and workshops can provide a safe space for sharing experiences and fostering a sense of belonging.
Building Self-Identity: Loss can shake one’s sense of self and purpose. Resilience training helps individuals rediscover their strengths, values, and passions, empowering them to rebuild their identity and envision a hopeful future.
Goal Setting and Problem-Solving: Grief can make everyday tasks seem insurmountable. Resilience training equips individuals with goal-setting skills and problem-solving strategies, enabling them to break down challenges into manageable steps.
Self-Compassion: Grieving individuals often blame themselves or feel guilty about their emotions. Resilience training promotes self-compassion, encouraging individuals to treat themselves with kindness and understanding during this difficult time.
What do you get when you train for better resilience?
Grief is an inevitable part of the human experience, but it does not have to define or control our lives. Resilience training provides valuable tools and strategies to help individuals navigate the difficult journey of grief, enabling them to emerge from the process stronger, more adaptable, and better equipped to find new meaning and purpose in life. While the pain of loss may never completely disappear, resilience allows individuals to embrace life once again and honor the memories of those they have lost.
Want to experience resilience training first-hand?
We created a four-hour WiderPath introductory program that will give you a taste of what’s to come, along with resiliency tools you can use right away. Curious? Join us for our upcoming introductory program on August 23, 2023. Click here to register.
