“3: Learn,” Finding Strength in the Lord: Emotional Resilience (2020)
“3: Learn,” Finding Strength in the Lord: Emotional Resilience
Learn—Maximum Time: 60 Minutes
1. Our Bodies Are a Gift from God
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Your loving Heavenly Father provided you with the gift of a body to house your spirit (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:15; Abraham 5:7). A healthy body is important to being emotionally resilient. As you take better care of your physical health, your emotional health will also improve, and vice versa. Some ways you can better care for the body Heavenly Father has given you include regular exercise, plenty of rest, personal hygiene, and healthy eating.
2. Regular Exercise
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Regular exercise can greatly benefit your emotional health. Physical activity stimulates your brain and releases chemicals that help with your emotions and ability to see situations clearly. Taking time to be active can leave you feeling happier, more relaxed, and less anxious. Physical activity can also be an opportunity to use your body and connect with family and friends in a fun, social setting.
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If you haven’t exercised for a long time; have chronic health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis; or have other concerns, check with a medical professional before starting a new exercise plan.
3. Sleep and Rest
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The need for sleep and rest is often forgotten. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “Fatigue is the common enemy of us all—so slow down, rest up, replenish, and refill. Physicians promise us that if we do not take time to be well, we most assuredly will take time later on to be ill” (“Like a Broken Vessel,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 41). Quality sleep can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety. When you’re tired, you might find it hard to make decisions, solve problems, control your emotions and behavior, and handle change.
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Rest is more than getting enough sleep. The Book of Mormon teaches, “It is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength” (Mosiah 4:27). Maybe you feel pressure to keep up with the fast-paced world. You may be in a phase of life that seems overwhelming, such as raising young children or caring for a sick loved one. You can also be affected by emotional challenges that cause you to feel tired and want to sleep longer than needed. Staying in bed too long can be harmful to your mental and emotional health. The Lord loves you and knows your unique circumstances. He can direct you to ideas and resources that will be helpful for your situation.
Discuss:
How does fatigue affect our spiritual, physical, social, and emotional well-being?
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If you often sleep too much or too little, consider seeking help from a doctor.
4. Personal Hygiene
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We show respect for our bodies when we treat and talk about them positively. Prioritizing small things like washing our hands, bathing regularly, brushing our teeth, and keeping our clothes clean will improve our health and can help us feel better about ourselves.
Discuss:
What changes do you notice in yourself when you practice good personal hygiene?
5. Healthy Eating
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The Savior taught the Prophet Joseph Smith about healthy living in 1833 in a revelation that became known as the Word of Wisdom (see Doctrine and Covenants 89). This revelation provides direction regarding what we should eat and drink and what we should avoid. The Lord promises good health, stamina, protection, knowledge, and wisdom to those who obey the Word of Wisdom.
In one of his final general conference talks, President Thomas S. Monson said: “May we care for our bodies and our minds by observing the principles set forth in the Word of Wisdom, a divinely provided plan. With all my heart and soul, I testify of the glorious blessings which await us as we do” (“Principles and Promises,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 79).
Discuss:
What are some ways we can better care for the body Heavenly Father has given us?
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Make sure to drink plenty of clean water throughout the day. Eat enough of the right food to fuel your body so you have the energy you need to accomplish your daily tasks. In general, consider eating more vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. Also consider reducing refined sugar, salt, sweetened beverages, and saturated fat.
You may also want to talk to someone you know about your eating habits. Discuss some ways that you can better fuel your body. As you work to live a healthier life, you may not see results right away. But you can know that you are doing your best to take care of the body God has given you.
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One symptom of an eating disorder would be to focus on food and exercise to the point where you can’t concentrate on other aspects of your life.
If you find your eating habits limit your activities or impair your health, please seek medical help.
6. Understanding Our Emotions
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Your body experiences strong emotions. Becoming emotionally resilient requires you to acknowledge, accept, and respond to your emotions in a healthy way. Emotions are a normal part of our mortal experience. Sometimes your emotions may be strong, and it can be challenging to respond to them. When you allow your emotions to decide your behaviors, you surrender to your emotions rather than using your agency to respond to your emotions.
Discuss:
How does striving to manage our emotions help us become more Christlike?
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The first step in managing emotions is becoming aware of them. One tool that can help is an emotions journal, where you can reflect on the emotions you have felt. In an emotions journal, you record the emotion you feel, the situation you were in, and the actions you took because of the emotion. Ponder these feelings and situations and then write down your thoughts. As you track your emotions, look for patterns and trends. Consider writing in your emotions journal daily. See the example below.
|
Emotion |
Situation |
Actions Taken Because of the Emotion |
Ponder |
|---|---|---|---|
Emotion Example Today I felt angry and hurt. | Situation I got in a big argument with my dad. | Actions Taken Because of the Emotion I got really upset and yelled at him and lashed out at my friends. I felt bad about it. | Ponder I should talk to my dad about how I feel instead of getting angry at him. |
Emotion Example Today I felt joy and love. | Situation I heard a heartfelt prayer that touched me. | Actions Taken Because of the Emotion I thanked Heavenly Father for His love, and I thought about how I pray. | Ponder I want to feel this way again by trying to connect better to Heavenly Father through prayer. |
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Elder Richard G. Scott taught, “Yielding to emotions such as anger or hurt or defensiveness will drive away the Holy Ghost” (“How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 45). Of course, we will all feel anger and hurt at times. Sometimes we are even justified in feeling these emotions. However, it is important for us to resolve these feelings if we want to better connect with the Lord and feel the Spirit.
Elder Scott also suggested a way that emotion can help us feel the Spirit and be more resilient: “A good sense of humor helps revelation. … A sense of humor is an escape valve for the pressures of life” (“How to Obtain Revelation,” 46).
Discuss:
How can learning to manage your emotions help you more easily feel the Spirit?
7. Self-Care
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When you face challenges, you need to do all you can to take care of yourself. Doing all you can means using the resources you have in your life to support you in whatever challenges you are facing. Below is a list of ideas for self-care.
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Take a nap
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Visit with a friend
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Slow down
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Take a shower or bath
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Exercise
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Read a book
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Listen to music
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Create something
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Pray
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Take a walk
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Make a list of things you are grateful for
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Enjoy a nice meal
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Dance
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Sing
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Use relaxation techniques (see the activity in item 3 in the “Learn” section of chapter 4 and the “Resources” section of chapter 4)