Real Guys, Real Grit: Stories of Surviving (almost) Anything
Real Guys, Real Grit: Stories of Surviving (almost) Anything
Interesting blog? Well, my reflection on this blog comes from an article I read in Men’s Health (hubby is a subscriber!). To be honest, I’m thrilled to see the number of men who are embracing the need for strong mental health and how it aligns with strong physical and emotional health. My husband often dog ears pages in this magazine he knows will interest me.
In this case it was a series of stories on resilience.
I have stated many times that although some people might be inclined to be more resilient, resiliency is something that can be learned just like exercising your muscles and your brain. It takes time, patience, and the willingness to become more aware of who you are, both your strengths and weaknesses.
The article is called, “The Death-Defying, Life-Changing Power of Resilience.” (various authors cover different men who have survived against incredible odds). It reminded me of the power of resilience and the need to share it with others. Yes, you can learn it, become it, and become stronger to manage the challenges that life will throw our way.
“If the early pandemic fired up anything within us, it was a feeling of we just need to survive this. But then, after white-knuckling through the first few months, some of us started to change…for the better. Psychologists call this RESILIENCE, and one 2020 study defines the characteristic as a “protective factor”. The eight men in the collection of stories all suffered soul-crushing events-a roadside explosion, a hit and run, deadly avalanches, shot, wounded, and surviving mass shootings. Despite how different their experiences were, the mental, physical, emotional, and even spiritual growth that came from almost dying imbued them with A NEWFOUND SENSE OF LIVING. They’re proof that resilience is real and can be developed, like a muscle, regardless of who you are.”
The name PŪR Resilience, for this wonderful yoga community, did not get pulled from a hat. It was created based on my belief that we can all be resilient. And it was also based on my own story of resilience. Almost 8 years ago I took my last drink and have never touched another drop. There was nothing easy about any part of my recovery from giving up alcohol, to dealing with depression and anxiety. These challenges allowed me to learn how one can build resilience to fight another day. And to appreciate the opportunity to fully live.
In this set of articles, I also found 4 “truths” about resilience offered up by a man who spent 157 days in the water swimming around Great Britain (through choice!) that I thought were interesting to share:
Truth #1 “Sucking it up” won’t make you resilient.
“In fact, it will break you. If you have a stone in your shoe during the first mile of a marathon, bearing it doesn’t make you be anything but miserable. So often, when athletes, the military, people seeking “perfection” or starting out something new too fast, you need to ask them OR yourself, “How is this helping?”
Truth #2 You can’t lie to yourself.
Accepting a situation is not giving up. It helps you to formulate a plan. “Resilience is stress strategically managed.”
Truth #3 Know how to fight – and how to dance.
“There was a study in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience where cyclists who were shown pictures of people smiling had far greater resistance to fatigue than those who were shown frowning pictures. It’s like what you saw when Eliud Kipchoge broke the 2 hour marathon barrier with a small smile on his face. Not once did he seem to grimace or fight – he was dancing the whole way.”
Truth #4 Your reasons to continue need to be bigger than your reasons to quit.
“If you love what you’re doing, and you’re doing it for the right reasons, you’ll keep going.”
I loved these series of articles on these brave, resilient men, the lessons they learned and how they grew into a resilient spot to not just survive or finish a race or to recover from horrific accidents, but to grow and thrive, to feel and stay alive, live better and flourish!
Building resilience can start anytime. But you need to take the time, make the time, and be buoyed by the time you invest in yourself to get there.
I will share one final part of my reading I found regarding PTSD and other mental health related benefits that can support building a healthier, happier more resilient life:
“Holistic practitioners and therapists are now offering white water rafting, surfing, fly-fishing, art therapy and yoga to help diminish the effects of PTSD and other mental health related challenges. Alone they can’t do the whole job, but they may play a valuable role…the goal is not just getting rid of symptoms. It’s about getting back to life and having a sense of well-being.”
Here's to resiliency, yoga, men and Doctor’s who are realizing that one’s mental and emotional well being is critical to the larger healthy journey of life!
References
The Death-Defying, Life-Changing Power of Resilience. Page 80 Men’s Health, Jul/August 2021 edition.
Ross Edgley, Page 87. The Death-Defying, Life-Changing Power of Resilience. Page 80 Men’s Health, Jul/August 2021 edition.
Paula Schnurr, PhD, ED of the National Centre for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
