Resilience
Resilience is an ability to bounce back and continue functioning after a stressful or difficult event. It involves coping with challenges and avoiding negative thoughts.
Adversity and Hardships
Everyone will experience adversity and hardships in life, whether it's a job loss, illness or the death of a loved one. It's a part of being human, and learning how to cope with it is essential to our well-being and psychological health.
Individual Differences in Coping
How we deal with adversity, however, varies from person to person and even from moment to moment. Some people are more sensitive to change and can feel overwhelmed by a situation; others are more stable and can handle it better.
Characteristics of Resilient Individuals
Resilient individuals often have a strong sense of self-control, a tendency to plan and organize, and the ability to focus on positive outcomes when faced with challenges. They also have strong interpersonal relationships and have a healthy social support network, which can help them cope with stressful or upsetting events in a positive way.
Factors Influencing Resilience
Some resilient individuals have a genetic predisposition for resilience; however, early environments and life circumstances play a major role in how resilience is expressed. Currently, research in this field is focused on the interactions between multiple interacting factors such as genes, epigenetics, developmental environment, and psychosocial factors that influence the development of resilience.
Personal Attributes and Resilience
Personal attributes that are associated with high resilience include being positive and optimistic, being proactive in managing your stress, having a strong support system, and having a good relationship with your parents. In addition, it's important to note that resilience is not a fixed trait and may fluctuate over time (Burt and Paysnick, 2012).
Boosting Resilience
Practicing mental fitness exercises, such as yoga or meditation, can boost your resilience and other core psychological resources. This can be done on your own or with a therapist or counselor.
Collecting Inspiring Images and Quotes
Collecting inspiring images and quotes is a great way to remind yourself that things will get better. There are plenty of free online tools that can help you find a variety of images that inspire and motivate you. You can keep these pictures on your computer and use them every week to help you stay motivated and keep your resiliency levels up.
Staying Focused and Taking Control
In the wake of a stressful event, it's easy to become consumed with feelings of negativity and to lose sight of what you can control. This is why it's so important to stay focused on what you can do and take steps to improve your resilience.
Emotional Support and Communication
Emotionally resilient people understand that emotions are normal, that they can be helpful, and that they don't have to be a constant drain on your energy. They recognize that emotions can be a useful way to connect with other people and are more likely to reach out for emotional support.
Resilient people also tend to be open and honest with their loved ones about their emotions, which can help them cope more effectively. This is especially true for those who have experienced adversity themselves or who are coping with someone else's stress or loss. They are also more likely to have a supportive partner and to seek professional advice when needed.
