Category: friends

We all face setbacks in our life. The term resilience (or resiliency) is our ability to adapt and bounce back when things may not go exactly as we had planned. Some of us may appear as if we handle those situations with more grace than others. We may even find ourselves admiring those who are resilient, wishing we could be too. What is important to know is that resilience isn’t necessarily a personality trait that only some people possess. Rather resiliency involves behaviors, thoughts, and actions that anyone can learn and develop. This post is to help you learn more about resiliency and how you too, have the grace of resiliency living in you.

What is Resilience?

Psychologists define resilience as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress—such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or workplace and financial stressors. As much as resilience involves “bouncing back” from these difficult experiences, it can also involve profound personal growth.

Those with high resilience may not spend a lot of time dwelling on the failure or set back; they acknowledge the situation, learn from their mistakes, and move forward. Being resilient doesn’t mean that a person won’t experience difficulty or distress. People who have suffered major adversity or trauma in their lives commonly experience emotional pain and stress. In fact, the road to resilience is likely to involve considerable emotional distress.

According to the research of psychologist, Susan Kobasa, there are three elements that are essential to resilience.  You can find her full quote and descriptions in an article on www.mindtools.com:

1. View Difficulty as a Challenge – People who are resilient look at their failures and mistakes as lessons to be learned from, and as opportunities for growth, not as a negative reflection on their abilities or self-worth.
2. Commitment & Purpose – Those who are resilient are committed to their lives and their goals, and feel they have purpose and a compelling reason to get out of bed in the morning. They commit to their relationships, their friendships, the causes they care about, their religious or spiritual beliefs, and to their work.
3. Personal Control – Resilient people spend their time and energy focusing on situations and events that they have control over. Because they put their efforts where they can have the most impact, they feel empowered and confident.

10 Ways to Build Your Resilience

The good news is you can learn to develop a resilient mindset and attitude.  Here are some ways to incorporate some resilient behaviors into your daily life:

1. Learn to relax. When you take care of your mind and body, you’re better able to cope effectively with challenges in your life. Develop a good sleep routine, try out a new exercise or use physical relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or meditation.
2. Practice thought awareness. Resilient people don’t let negative thoughts derail their efforts. Instead, they consistently practice positive thinking. This means listening to how you talk to yourself when something goes wrong – if you find yourself making statements that are permanent, pervasive or personalized, correct these thoughts in your mind.
3. Edit your outlook. Practice cognitive restructuring to change the way that you think about negative situations and bad events.
4. Learn from your mistakes and failures. Every mistake has the power to teach you something important, so look for the lesson in every situation. Also, make sure that you understand the idea of “post-traumatic growth” – often people find that crisis situations, such as a job loss or the breakdown of a relationship, allow them to re-evaluate their lives and make positive changes.
5. Choose your response. Remember, we all experience bad days and we all go through our share of crises. But we have a choice in how we respond: we can choose to react with panic and negativity, or we can choose to remain calm and logical to find a solution. Your reaction is always up to you.
6. Maintain perspective. Resilient people understand that, although a situation or crisis may seem overwhelming in the moment, it may not make that much of an impact over the long-term. Try to avoid blowing events out of proportion.
7. Set some goals for yourself. If you don’t already, learn to set SMART, effective personal goals that match your values, and that can help you to learn from your experiences.
8. Build your self-confidence. Remember, resilient people are confident that they’re going to succeed eventually, despite the setbacks or stresses that they might be facing. This belief in themselves also enables them to take risks: when you develop confidence and a strong sense of self, you have the strength to keep moving forward, and to take the risks you need to get ahead.
9. Develop strong relationships. People who have strong connections at work are more resistant to stress, and they’re happier in their role. This also goes for your personal life: the more real friendships you develop, the more resilient you’re going to be, because you have a strong support network to fall back on. (Remember that treating people with compassion and empathy is very important here.)
10. Be flexible. Resilient people understand that things change, and that carefully-made plans may, occasionally, need to be amended or scrapped.

Building your resilience takes time and practice, like anything else. The Y is here for you on this journey.  Please check out our listing of local resources available as well as give our Y VirtuWell Coaches a call to help you set and establish SMART goals that fit your health priorities.

Staying on track can be one of the biggest challenges to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But an accountability partner can make all the difference. You’ll be less likely to skip a workout with your friend and can even save money on your YMCA membership!

Invite a family member or friend to join the Y and you’ll both enjoy an exclusive 20% membership savings off of the standard membership rate each month as long as you both remain members*.

Top 5 Benefits of Having a Workout Partner

1. Accountability

Arguably the most worthwhile reason to have a workout partner is accountability. Workout partners hold each other responsible for going to the gym because they keep each other on track and always reaching for their goals. If both go regularly, they will know whether a workout has been missed.

2. Sharing goals and progress

A workout buddy offers companionship, but also creates a competition that can be extremely helpful when someone needs to push through that extra mile or squat. They also give each other someone to celebrate milestones with. Both members can go out to dinner and feel comfortable getting healthy meals without giving in to temptation.

3. Validation

Many people who are trying to lose weight get discouraged because of the rough weeks where weight doesn’t come off. Workout partners can see each other’s progress from the outside and provide motivation, positive feedback and constructive criticism.

4. It’s fun!

Workout partners provide a sense of reliability and help transform the gym into something more desirable – an active social gathering. For example, busy mothers would benefit from having someone else who is going through similar life changes. They can provide motivation and support, and it also gives them a chance to socialize away from the family.

5. It Saves You Money

Because we know how beneficial it is to have a workout partner, we are now rewarding you when you refer a family or friend to the Y. You can both save 20% off your membership!

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I begin to receive the Member Referral Rate? Members will receive their member referral rate on their next billing cycle.

How long is the reduced rate valid?
The reduced rate received from participating in the Member Referral program is good for as long as both parties remain members, and their membership is in good standing (by keeping all monthly payments current). Should one of you cancel your membership, the remaining member has thirty (30) days to refer another friend or family member to join. If the remaining member does not refer another friend or family member to join within 30 days, the reduced membership rate will return to the standard rate for the specified membership type.

Can I get more than one discount?
Members are only eligible for one rate reduction on their memberships. Ask an Experience Maker at your Y’s Welcome Center to help you find the best rate.

Will the Member Referral rate ever increase?
Yes, you will still be subject to future rate increases. However, your rate will still reflect a 20% savings as long as both members are still active in good standing, and the Member Referral Program is still being offered by the Y.

Does my friend or family member have to join the same Y?
No. A friend or family member can join any of our Y’s in Florida’s First Coast.

Can I refer more than one friend or family member?
Yes. Members can refer as many people as they would like. In fact, it is to your benefit to refer more than one friend or family member so, in the event one of your referrals decides to leave the Y, you have another referral attached to your membership, which ensures your membership savings stay in place. However, the maximum savings you will receive is 20%.

Who is eligible to participate in this program?
Adult, Senior or Household members who pay on a monthly billing cycle from an EFT or Credit Card.

I am currently receiving financial assistance. Can I refer a friend for this program?
Yes. Should your friend or family member decide to join they will receive the Member Referral membership rate for the membership category they select. Your membership will remain at your standard financial assistance rate or be reduced to the Member Referral rate for your membership type, whichever is less.

Does my friend or family member have to be with me to join?
No. New members will need to bring in the referral email they receive from their friend or family member when they join in order to receive the 20% savings off of their first billing cycle.

Before the Member Referral Program began, I referred multiple families to join the Y. Can I receive a rate reduction based on their memberships?
No. The Member Referral membership savings is only available for current members referring new members. A new member is considered a member that has not been an active member at a Florida’s First Coast Y for 60 days or longer.

I am joining the Y as a new member in the Member Referral Program. Do I have to pay a joining fee?
Yes. You will still be required to pay a full joining fee at the time you join the Y. The 20% membership savings may only be applied to the standard membership monthly dues.

Have more questions? Give us a call at 904.265.1775.

*The YMCA of Florida’s First Coast reserves the right to end this member referral program at any time. However, if you are already receiving the member referral discount, you will continue to receive the discount as long as you and your family member or friend remain members. Discount can only be applied to two separate accounts. If either of you cancel and the program is no longer being offered, the discount will no longer be valid.