Even if you’re feeling completely overwhelmed, you can train your brain to bounce back! That’s according to Professor Judith Moskowitz from Northwestern University, who teaches resilience-building strategies to students of all ages.
And when students finish her course, they have less anxiety and depression, fewer sleep problems, they feel less isolated and generally feel more positive. So what are the skills?
· First, focus on the beauty that surrounds you. Even in an area completely paved with concrete, you can probably find a dandelion poking up through a crack. When you pause to appreciate small moments of beauty, your brain responds with a more positive mood.
· Then there’s positive reappraisal – or looking for the silver lining. Let’s say you have to work late. You can feel gratitude for the security of being employed. It’s not about denying stress – it’s about finding something meaningful inside it.
· The class also teaches about personal strengths. Think about what you’re good at. Are you a good listener? Empathetic? Detail-oriented? Focusing on your personal strengths builds confidence and stability — especially in hard times.
And one of the most powerful outcomes of Professor Moskowitz’s class was an increase in participants’ sense of self-efficacy……Which means their belief in themselves to set a goal and accomplish it, improved.
