10 Ways to Build Resilience
Image Source: Daily Mail
In psychological terms when we speak of resilience, we refer to the positive capacity of individuals to deal with stress and adversity. The good news is that resilience is most commonly understood as a process, and not a trait of an individual, so with practise we can all build resilience in ourselves which will help us cope better when the difficult times come.
A key element in building resilience lies in our ability to learn from the past and also in maintaining flexibility and balance in life. Now take a look at the list below which comes from the American Psychological Association and see how many of these strategies you can incorporate into your life.
10 Ways to Build Resilience
(1) maintaining good relationships with close family members, friends and other
(2) to avoid seeing crises or stressful events as unbearable problems
(3) to accept circumstances that cannot be changed
(4) to develop realistic goals and move towards them
(5) to take decisive actions in adverse situations
(6) to look for opportunities of self-discovery after a struggle with loss
(7) developing self-confidence
(8) to keep a long-term perspective and consider the stressful event in a broader context
(9) to maintain a hopeful outlook, expecting good things and visualizing what is wished
(10) to take care of one’s mind and body, exercising regularly, paying attention to one’s own needs and feelings and engaging in relaxing activities that one enjoys.
I am loving this themed idea for mental health week. I am learning so much about resilience and how to build it – thanks for all you do Marie!
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As a recently diagnosed breast cancer patient, I am learning to flex that resilience muscle, get past the why me and learn how to cope with so many new and challenging situations so this post is just what i need today!
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Terrific advice here and as I read down through the list, I can see how many of these I have learned through life’s adversities to put into practice!
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I love the point about visualizing what is wished for – when I was going through my cancer treatment, I learned for the first time how to practice visualisation and it was wonderfully helpful!
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Reading through list list puts me in mind of the Serenity Prayer – seems like it would help to pray this when working on building resilience – accept the things I cannot change and courage and wisdom to change what can be changed.
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When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, i was no 3 on this list – seeing crises or stressful events as unbearable problems – i thought it was the end of the world! But, the truth is that the crisis was bearable and I got through it. I have now learned that no matter how bleak things may first appear, I have the resources within to deal with it. Cancer taught me that lesson in resilience 101!
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The last point here ties in very nicely with yesterday’s blog post, which I also enjoyed reading. The mind-body connection cannot be ignored in building up resilience.
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More great advice, Marie – a very positive way to mark Mental Health Week! And I was really heartened to read yesterday Mad Men’s Jon Hamm talking about his battle with chronic depression, showing that this can strike anyone and equally that it is neither a life sentence nor a barrier to a successful career.
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Thanks for the comment Angela and thanks for letting me know about John Hamm..I didn’t know that! And I am also really heartened when celebrities and those who are well known speak out about this all too common issue – we need to break those taboos. To think that someone as handsome (and he is!) and successful as John Hamm admits to depression shows us that depression can strike anyone any time.
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During my breast cancer treatment I have discovered just how resilient my body is, amazingly adjusting to whatever is thrown at it. I wrote a post on it at http://www.nancyspoint.com
Perhaps you can check it out and give me your thoughts.
These guest posts have made me think about how resilient the mind is as well and how it is a skill to be practiced daily.
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thanks for your comment Nancy. I will look forward to checking out your post later.
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Enjoyed your article.
Recovery from three separate breast cancers has taught me the need for positive motivation.
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Thank you for taking the time to comment on this post. I do like your phrase postitive motivation 🙂 Yours in health, Marie
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