RESILIENCE RESOURCES

We can think of resilience as being hard or tough, but this is only part of the story. Check out this video and find out more.

The Resilience Tree Exercise

At Space to Breathe we’ve thought about resilience being like an ‘The Oak Tree’ or a ‘Frying Pan.’ We explore different ways we can consider resilience and these two pictures and their wisdom for us.

One of the images, the Oak Tree, lends itself to a resilience planning exercise that we have found to be very useful. We’ve developed some training on this and you can access next courses and watch a video below.

In terms of the resource itself, here’s how it works.

The roots

These represent the things we draw strength from. Roots reach deep into the ground, holding a tree steady but also drawing nutrients from the soil into the tree.

Around the roots of the tree, write down the things that you draw strength from. What are the things that give you strength or enable you to stand strong and resilient? This could be things like family, beliefs or creativity but can also be very specific things that help you.

Write these things by the roots of the tree.

The trunk

In the trunk of the tree, write down all the values that are important to you. The trunk holds the shape of the tree and in some ways is the sum of the tree. The trunk also hold the core of the tree, its rings showing the age a tree is.

In this exercise your values are things which motivate you or help shape your decisions. Maybe you believe in kindness, fair play or equality. Maybe you’re motivated by relationships or by core ideas you hold to. These shape you, just as the trunk shapes the tree.

Write these values in the trunk of the tree.

The leaves and branches

In this final piece, think about you on a good day. When all is going well and life is good - what are you like, what is being around you like? In these times we’re probably displaying the best of ourselves so have a think about these times and consider all the things about you that you like - your sense of humour, your way with people etc.

Write these things by the branches.

How do roots, trunk and branches help my resilience?

As you complete your tree ponder the three sections.

Your roots are the things that allow you to draw strength. Your resilience will grow if you give more time and prominence to these things. Look at what’s there. How can you gently reshape life to give these things more time?

Your trunk represents your values. These are your sweet spot - you operate well when these values are central to what your doing. Your energy and resilience will likely increase when you give more value and time to these things. How can you allow your values a greater space in your life?

Your branches are you on a good day. Here are the things to celebrate. Be content with these things - they are your strong points. Allow yourself to be happy when you’re funny or kind, when you reach out to people or when you are generous. These are the fruits of your roots and trunk. Being content and happy in these things will help you fill up your reserves for tougher times.

Why not download the Resilience Tree PDF or draw one yourself and try this exercise. Let us know how it helps you or things you do differently to grow your resilience.

FIND OUT MORE: deep

This audio meditation allows you to explore the idea of depth and its value in building resilience.