Julia Mitchell-Hoffman Gentle Steps Foundation Emotional Resilience Julia Mitchell-Hoffman Gentle Steps Foundation Emotional Resilience Presented by Julia Mitchell-Hoffman and Hosted by Gentle Steps Foundation.

Gentle Steps Foundation Julia Mitchell-Hoffman Emotional resilience simply refers to one’s ability to adapt to stressful situations or crises. More resilient people are able to adapt to stress without lifelong difficulties, while less resilient people have a harder time with stress and life ups and downs. Gentle Steps Foundation Julia Mitchell-Hoffman

Biological and Social Factors To some degree, emotional and physical resilience are aspects we are born with. It is part of our temperament and development. I am sensitive while others may not be easily bothered. I love to get my hands dirty while others may not enjoy playing in the dirt. Both biological and social factors enter in to how we deal with stress. It is important to note that the biological factors are not in our control. Yet emotional resilience, while sometimes complex, are learned behaviors that can be improved on. Gentle Steps Foundation Julia Mitchell-Hoffman

Gentle Steps Foundation Julia Mitchell-Hoffman Let’s take a closer look at our options in dealing with the stress we are faced with. One major step is to take a look at what has worked in the past but is not useful now in our lives. Being resilient is observing and learning new ways of coping. Instead of asking “what is wrong ?” consider “what is wanted or needed ?” Often we may find ourselves questioning what needs to be fixed when looking at what is working could contribute to possible solutions. There are times we blame others or ourselves instead of giving credit for the progress that has been made. Being part of a team allows for collaboration and growth. As you worked together issues can be divided into smaller, more realistic and doable steps. Gentle Steps Foundation Julia Mitchell-Hoffman

Focus on what you can control, not what’s out of your control. When we apply the Solution Focused Approach we understand that we need to focus on what we can do something about. We also admit when something is out of our control or we decide it is just not doable at this time. When change is useful to us we also need to own the fact that there is no right way in the way we see the world. We may believe we understand the problem and yet will need to work at possible solutions. Sometimes small steps or changes have bigger impact toward finding the solution. Change is based on focus not force. Gentle Steps Foundation Julia Mitchell-Hoffman

Gentle Steps Foundation Julia Mitchell-Hoffman I love Dr. Seuss – He makes it seem so very simple. We do not need to be perfect. I want to end this presentation with words of wisdom that someone special in my life shared with me: “the only way to get through it is to go through it.” Gentle Steps Foundation Julia Mitchell-Hoffman