3
2
Build your resilience muscle. Every new year brings new difficulties and challenges. Your level of resilience determines how quickly you’ll bounce back from them. Positive psychologist Chris Peterson characterizes resilience as “struggling well,” whether in response to small stressors or major trauma. Your ability to move forward directly impacts your well-being. Research shows that resilience also improves problem-solving and moves people closer to achieving their goals — and the more you practice it, the more resilient you become. How do you increase your resilience? There are many approaches, including therapy, journaling, meditation, yoga, practicing self- compassion, getting support from loved ones, getting adequate exercise and sleep and paying attention to your nutrition, to name a few. Start with one or two resilience-building habits and build from there. When you face adversity with resilience, you’ll discover just how strong you truly are — and you’ll feel more confident and capable in the future. Additionally, resilience is contagious. Resilient parents raise resilient kids. Ready to boost your well-being in 2022? Take it one tip at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed. Then move on to the next one. This practice may add one more thing to your full to-do list, but it will also leave you more energized for everything else on your plate — and help you flourish as both a parent and person.
Focus on your strengths. Many of us believe obsessing over our weaknesses will help us grow, but that’s a myth. We can only become average (at best) in our deficient areas. To actually improve your well-being, pay more attention to your strengths. That in turn will improve your self-esteem and build confidence — and your kids will follow in your footsteps. As a social worker, I helped clients recover from mental health crises by identifying their strengths. Over the years, it became clear that when people understand their strengths, they can flourish in all areas of their lives. If you’re unsure of your strengths, take an online assessment. The VIA 24 Character Strengths Assessment helps you tap into your innate values, priorities and strengths. To learn more about your unique skillset, try the Gallup StrengthsFinder. You’ll discover your areas of greatest potential so you can achieve your goals and perform your best at work. These two assessments complement each other and provide a strong foundation for enhancing your overall well-being.
Put on your Party Boots!
Looking for a unique, hassle-free party in the Wild West? All you need are gifts and a birthday cake — we take care of the rest! Put on your party boots and join the birthday fun at The Cowboy. For more information and to request a party date: nationalcowboymuseum.org/birthday-parties
1700 Northeast 63rd Street Oklahoma City, OK 73111 nationalcowboymuseum.org/kids
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / JAN-FEB 2022 13
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator