13. Building Resilience Through Borrowed Beliefs in Life and Caregiving

In This Together: Building Resilience When Caregiving for Your Partner

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In this episode, I'm excited to share a fantastic hack for overcoming negative thinking: borrowing helpful beliefs from others. It might sound a bit unusual, but let me explain why it works and how it can be a game-changer for resilience, both in daily life and in caregiving.

A belief is essentially a thought we've had repeatedly until it feels true. Sometimes, we hold onto unhelpful beliefs simply because they've been with us for so long. But the great news is that we have the power to change how we think. It's all about being mindful and intentional with our thoughts.

Beliefs can be like tools—you can borrow them to make your life easier without needing to return them. For example, I used to view running as a chore until a friend described it as self-care, which completely shifted my perspective. Similarly, you can adopt thoughts that serve you better.

I'll also share some research from Cornell University that shows 85% of what we worry about never happens, and even when it does, we handle it better than expected. This shows us that much of our worry is unnecessary and unhelpful.

Throughout the episode, I emphasize the importance of being aware of your thoughts and choosing those that help rather than hinder. By trying on new beliefs, you can find ones that feel true and supportive, making your journey through challenging times much more manageable.
Go to the Episode Webpage

References:
Borkovec, Thomas & Hazlett-Stevens, Holly & Diaz, M.L.. (1999). The Role of Positive Beliefs about Worry in Generalized Anxiety Disorder and its Treatment. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy. 6. 126 - 138. 10.1002/(SICI)1099-0879(199905)6:2<126::AID-CPP193>3.0.CO;2-M.

As a Resiliency Coach for people who are caregiving for their partner, I'm here to support YOU, the caregiver. Learn more about my work at www.coachmarika.com.

فصول

1. Borrowing Helpful Beliefs for Resilience (00:00:00)

2. Borrowing Beliefs for Self-Care (00:09:43)

3. Borrowed Thoughts for Difficult Times (00:20:31)