If you have ever felt like you live in a world of constant stress and chaos, you’re not alone.
According to a Pew Research study, Americans are feeling the stress of their busy lives. Certain life choices may affect that feeling. An incredible 74% of parents with children under the age of 18 reported feeling too busy to enjoy life at times, while 54% of those with older children or no children at all reported the same feeling.
Life is moving fast, and sometimes it can take our sense of calm and self with it.
You don’t have to be crushed by the momentum of life, though. In this article, we will explore some simple things you can do every day to help build your inner strength - for your wellness in the workplace and in your personal life - for an improved sense of self and to help you combat those times when life is stressing you out.
How to Build Your Inner Strength
Be More Self-Aware
This is really the first step in building your inner strength — discover who you truly are. That means reflecting on what your talents, skills, weaknesses, limitations, and aspirations are so you can take part in things in your life that either put talents to good use or strengthen your weaknesses.
Put Yourself First
We have all probably heard the flight attendants tell passengers to put on their own oxygen masks before they assist small children with theirs. And we probably have all balked at this idea. But there’s a good reason — without oxygen yourself, you won’t be physically able to assist others.
The same goes for our everyday lives. We often balk at the idea of “being selfish” and putting our needs first, but until we fill our own well, so to speak, we won’t have much left to give others in our lives.
Know What You Can Control
Do you know the Serenity Prayer? “Grant me the wisdom to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Essentially, this is a step toward inner strength. Once you know that there are things within your sphere of control and things outside of it, you will know what things to spend your energy on and stop letting the others zap your strength.
Be Still
We live in a noisy world full of distractions. Those distractions can chip away at anyone’s core, leaving you frazzled and exhausted. When this happens, quiet time is needed to rejuvenate your core. Be intentional about setting aside time to unplug — turn off the phone, the music, and the TV. Be silent with yourself and reestablish your focus without distractions.
Pick Your Friends Wisely
Hanging out with the wrong people can completely drain whatever strength you have. People who are constantly negative or feeling victimized by life can suck the life right out of you. Instead, surround yourself with others who show inner strength and an understanding of what they can and cannot control in life. You deserve to fill your life with those who celebrate the person you are and bring positive energy into your life.
Connect with the Spiritual
Inner strength often comes from a connection to a spiritual source. Whether that source is through religion, nature, or anything in between, tapping into that source will often strengthen you. Using prayer, meditation, or just quiet thought, you can center yourself with the universe and understand your role in it clearer.
Get Your House in Order
Whether your “house” is your actual home, your career, a relationship, or financial situation, take control of it and make it a place you’re happy to be in. If your home is messy and cluttered, creating an orderly and serene environment will help with those times when life is overwhelming you. If you have a relationship with someone who is bringing you down, consider how you can best distance yourself from them.
Finally, if your financial situation stresses you out, create a plan that will help get you out of the mess and right the ship. Having your affairs in order will create an external environment of peace so you can have internal strength.
Developing inner strength and a sense of well-being is the armor you’ll need to endure the world around you. With some of these tips, you’ll discover that giving yourself serenity and strength might even quiet the distractions and chaos that the world throws at you.
Senior Star has put together a helpful guide for CNAs and other caregivers: Self-Care for the Caregiver, which you can download here.
