Adaptability – the highway to health and happiness?

Harrogate Welcomes the World

In Harrogate – my home town, we’ve had plenty to adapt to in the past few days – we’ve been hosting the UCI World Championships! My excitement began to grow as I witnessed the Fan Park and many other vital pieces of infrastructure being built on West Park Stray. Early last Friday morning, one of the construction workers was surprised to encounter me walking all the way round the perimeter of the Fan Zone twice. I was fascinated by the hive of activity and the quirky quotes. It was also a simply glorious morning weather wise. Since then I’ve enjoyed viewing some of the super skilled cyclists in action – on my doorstep.

But some residents of Harrogate have been feeling a bit grumpy. The centre of town has many streets completely closed to traffic for two weeks. Other areas on the ‘circuit’ are only open at night. Many of those affected have complained about ‘not being consulted beforehand’, ‘being prisoners in their homes’ etc. Shop owners have complained about not being able to get take deliveries and of diminished custom. The ramifications for residents have meant people taking big detours in the car (if they could get their car out) difficulties doing food shopping, getting deliveries, there’ve also been difficulties for those needing carers, children getting to school etc.

Quirky Quote – Charles Dickens on Harrogate

When listening to these complaints and with my own routines a little disrupted, I’ve found it interesting to note my personal responses and how easy it is to slide into negative thought patterns. I was also curious to know how my students felt about the event, how they’ve responded and adapted to the changes in their routines? One student pointed out that adverse childhood experiences of change are often the cause of negative responses when it’s imposed. So there’s an explanation for the grumpiness. We also discussed how the necessity to find new routes for getting around and about Harrogate was flummoxing at first but became a bit of an adventure! And like me, many found it very exciting that our home town had the honour of hosting such a prestigious sporting event.

I’m pleased my students had awareness of their mixed responses and were able to turn them around into a positive approach, or at least one of equanimity. This is why I’m pleased: although I aim to provide a calm, safe respite from everyday life for students coming to class, I also aim for them to become more resilient and adaptable in the face of life’s challenges. This is healthy and I believe, a route to happiness! Charles Darwin theorised that traits of those best able to adapt are those most likely to survive. Finally – what a glorious example set by the cyclists during the UCI week – of endurance, resilience, focus and supreme adaptability!

Happy practising! (whether it’s yoga or on a bike!)

Amanda