New Year, New Mindset?

Guest blogger Fay looks at how we develop emotional resilience, and how this can help manage a recovery from gambling problems.

At the start of the New Year, we often make resolutions about things we’d like to change. Sticking to our resolutions throughout the year can be hard though. Emotional resilience can help us achieve the goals we set ourselves, no matter how big or small, and can be a great asset if you are on a journey of recovery.

Emotional resilience is the ability to be stretched by a tough situation, such as spending time away from others and becoming anxious or depressed, and still being able to recover with our sense of self intact. This perseverance can benefit you when trying to recover from a gambling problem, especially when trying to move past the initial hurdle of stopping or reducing how often you gamble.

However, being resilient does not mean we don’t feel pain – quite the opposite in fact. Emotional resilience means that you can take the time to process the pain or the negative emotion that you are experiencing. It means that you are content with yourself and your efforts to change the things that are causing negativity in your life, allowing you to bounce back stronger from these difficult situations.

Social support from those around us can increase our emotional resilience, which is why the encouragement and support of your friends and family when recovering from a gambling problem can be so essential to the process.

It’s ok if you need time alone sometimes, it happens, it’s normal. However, gambling can cause you to not be present in your life as your mind is distracted thinking about the next bet or chasing your losses. If you feel that you are less able to connect with others around you than you were, perhaps this is because gambling has begun to replace the interactions you had before.

Here at GamCare we can help you with these difficult challenges and support you if you have decided to change your relationship with gambling for the New Year. Our range of services and resources can help you develop coping mechanisms, such as emotional resilience, to support you through this process.

If you need support now, the National Gambling Helpline is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Our advisers will listen to you and help connect you to the right support for you. You can contact us now via Freephone 0808 8020 133 or by starting a live chat with us.

You can also you our Forum or chatroom to talk to others in similar situations to you. If you’re already on the road to recovery, you can also attend one of our online Relapse Prevention Support Groups if you would like to use your New Year to continue your journey and capitalise on your hard work so far.

Whatever your resolution, we’re here to help.