One trait I’m proud of: my resilience. I write this trait in personal articles and resumes. I practice good coping mechanisms on a daily basis, constantly looking to grow as a human being. As someone who has faced plenty of adversity, stemming from situations including sexism and my disabilities, resilience is important to me.
So, what is resilience, and what are some ways that you can practice it? I have the answers for you.
What is Resilience?
According to a report published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry and featured on NCBI, resilience is “a human capacity to adapt swiftly and successfully to stressful/traumatic events and manage to revert to a positive state.” The American Psychological Association defines it as “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress.”
Resilience does not necessarily mean you aren’t handling your problems; rather, it’s a regular practice of good coping mechanisms for the curveballs life throws at you. Resilience evolves as you work on it, regularly building until you can handle the current hurdles you’re facing. Stumbling does not indicate a lack of resilience – it’s simply an opportunity to grow.
How Can You Increase Resilience?
There are many ways of practicing and mastering resilience. Some include relationships with other people, focusing on self-care, creating good coping mechanisms, and remaining mindful. Below are tips on how you can practice resilience:
Practice self-care.
The best way to take care of yourself is by going back to the basics: eat healthy food, sleep for at least eight hours, and drink enough water. On occasion, let yourself go a step further and indulge. Take yourself on date nights. Fill the tub, drop in a bath bomb, and relax. Get your nails done or get a massage (post-COVID, of course). Do whatever helps you feel mentally sound and strong.
Reach out to your loved ones.
Surround yourself with positivity as much as possible. Don’t let negativity enter your atmosphere; Instead, call your mom or an empathetic close friend and chat. Talking with people who have your best interests and health in mind lets you know you’re not alone. If you’ve lost contact with someone (and not for a negative reason), consider reaching out to them. Everyone gets busy, and reconnecting can be refreshing.
Create a list of goals.
They can be as small as brushing your teeth twice a day, or as big as getting a good job at your favorite company. The point is to create a list of aspirations and slowly work toward them each day. You don’t have to dominate the list within a specific timeframe – just carve out space when you can to focus on accomplishing these goals. Knowing you can succeed will increase your self-confidence.
Remain cautiously optimistic.
When facing adversity, it can be easy to adopt a pessimistic attitude. Then, when more hurdles pop up, you dig yourself into a deeper, more depressing hole. Rather than following this path, focus on the positives in your life. They don’t have to be huge or even relevant to the hurdles – you can simply appreciate the sun shining in winter. Even thinking about yourself and the good person you are, rather than constantly criticizing yourself on who you aren’t, is important.
Do what gives you purpose.
During a crisis, it’s crucial to find a purpose to avoid spiraling. It can be small (for me, taking care of my cat keeps me from staying in bed all day) or big. The point is to find something positive to hold onto. So, if it’s you taking care of your cat, donating a portion of your paycheck to charity, or volunteering at the local animal shelter, grasp onto the feeling it gives you. No matter how bad things are, you’ll have that purpose.
Go to therapy.
Sometimes, you just can’t face adversity alone. Loved ones may help, but there’s no better outlet than someone who can view situations objectively and give professional advice. We wrote an article on how to find a therapist that fits your needs – consider it your guide to finding someone who can give you the tools you need in order to build resilience.
Building resilience is a process, but it’s a tool that will help you to face tragedy and pain. How do you practice resilience? Do you have good coping mechanisms in place? Share your advice in the comments.
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