Greater Appreciation of Life and Changed Sense of Priorities

As a result of the cognitive reconstruction due to the confrontation with trauma, the subject has a sense of individual vulnerability and understands that he cannot predict or control certain events (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 2001). In recognizing the volatility of life, he starts, frequently, changing the previous degree of importance ascribed to certain events. The subject begins, thus, to pay attention to small things that were previously considered insignificant or unimportant (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004), resulting in a change of life priorities and a greater appreciation of life (Lindstrom, Cann, Calhoun, & Tedeschi, 2013).

Warmer, More Intimate Relationships With Others

In the aftermath of the crisis, the subject will have to understand the traumatic situation and to deal with stress and loss. Therefore, he might look for help and support from his family and friends (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996). As a result of increased self-disclosure about personal negative experiences, the individual may perceive a higher emotional connection with others, as well as a feeling of closeness and intimacy in interpersonal relationships (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996, 2004). Subsequently, the subject begins to better accept the help given by others and make better use of already existing social networks or invest in new ones (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 2001). In fact, it may occur a reflexive thinking about relationships, thus, some relations may become more meaningful while others may be weakened or even end (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004).

A Greater Sense of Personal Strength

The perception of greater individual strength is related with the recognition of more capabilities to deal with future challenges and adversities, and even to change situations that need to be changed. The subject clearly distinguishes that after the event he/she is a person with more skills and strengths, compared to the self before the trauma occurred (Lindstrom et al., 2013). However, this greater sense of personal strength is accompanied by the perception of individual vulnerability, and by a clear understanding of the negative impact of traumatic events in one’s life (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004).

Spiritual Development

As a result of individual strength in confrontation with the stressful conditions, the trauma survivors’ experiences are, in some way, an opening to religious questions or a perception of growth regarding religious or spiritual matters (Lindstrom et al., 2013). The faith in a higher religious entity may increase after trauma and also contribute as a coping mechanism in the cognitive process of finding meaning (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 2001). Nevertheless, nonreligious people may experience some growth in the spiritual domain, which is not exclusive to who already has a strong spiritual or religious connection (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004).

The experience with spiritual growth is variable among trauma survivors and it depends on the previous relationship and commitment to religiosity and spirituality, as well as on the causal attribution to the event (i.e., if the subject has the sense of security or, conversely, feelings of anger and injustice with the higher religious power) (Pargament, Desai, & McConnell, 2006).

New Possibilities

During the process of struggling with adversity, the survivor discovers new options for his life, in several domains (Lindstrom et al., 2013). The creation of a new life path is related with a perception of a new philosophy of life that changes the past assumptions and core beliefs leading to new possibilities and opportunities that did not exist before the trauma (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996, 2004).

All this to say that I am ABSOLUTELY THRILLED that Kyani has embraced this “Healthy Living Movement”!! It’s not just being physically active. It’s all the above.

What say you? Are you living a healthy lifestyle? What does a healthy lifestyle look like to you? Leave a comment!