Developing Genuine Resilience
The capacity for rapid rebound in the face of adversity is a cornerstone of effectively managing the complex hurdles of life. In a fresh insight shared by Dr. Mark Atkinson, MBBS, who serves as Medical Director at Sens.ai, the essence of authentic resilience is dissected. According to Atkinson, genuine resilience goes beyond surface level recovery. It demands that we “process and overwrite the trauma responses that are deep-seated within our nervous system, as well as within the corporeal and cerebral domains.”
He contends that true resilience is not simply about quick recovery but maintaining a connection with our emotional landscape and addressing unresolved psychological wounds. Atkinson also calls attention to the critical role of community-based support in the remediation of trauma and bolstering of resilient traits.
Deciphering the Interplay Between Stress and Relaxation
Grasping the nature of stress is a prerequisite for building resilient dispositions. Atkinson describes stress as the body’s systemic reaction to perceived threats, which triggers the Energetic Activation System to marshal energy for a suitable response. Sustained stress can culminate in allostatic load, the aggregate toll on our physiological well-being from prolonged tension, and is associated with a spectrum of adverse health effects, from inflammation to a downturn in cognitive function.
In contrast, the relaxation response, a concept developed by Dr. Herbert Benson, acts as a counterbalance to stress, inciting reductions in heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle strain, along with other health advantages. Cultivating this response regularly can strengthen the immune system, promote recovery, and boost the quality of rest.
Atkinson proposes several techniques for diffusing stress on the spot, such as the Fast Shift method of his creation. To elicit the relaxation response, he introduces a breathing practice and underscores the significance of embracing rather than evading emotional states. Further, he suggests a practice dubbed the “Inner Smile,” which serves as a valuable tool for coping with stress and emotional surfeit.
For strategies aimed at fortifying resilience, Atkinson recommends self-care prioritization, seeking companionship and counsel, and the pursuit of reflective exercises. He highlights the efficacy of Neurofeedback training via tools like Sens.ai’s innovative headset and app, which provide instantaneous feedback for brainwave patterns. Topics like Heart Coherence training, embracing self-compassion, setting boundaries, and minimizing negative influences are also explored.
To induce an optimistic cognitive shift, Atkinson promotes maintaining a habitual sense of thankfulness and advises professional counseling when necessary. His closing remarks underscore the availability of further educational materials for individuals eager to delve deeper into stress mechanics and resiliency cultivation.
Atkinson, in tandem with Sens.ai, furnishes this information for educational purposes solely and does not intend it as a replacement for individualized medical counsel. Persons with specific health issues should seek guidance from healthcare professionals.
