How Do I Bounce Back? Resilience

Hi everyone, it feels so good to be back again ☺️ A happy new year to you all. Today, I would be talking about a very important attribute that you sure would find helpful and would go a long way in building your toughness especially in the wake of the COVID-19 second wave. 

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to remain calm in the face of disaster and others appear to be really disturbed? Psychologists call people that can keep their cool in the face of adversity as resilient people. What is this resilience and why do I need it? Psychological resilience is the ability to mentally or emotionally cope with a crisis or to return to the pre-crisis status quickly. It entails how well we bounce back from difficulties of life.

Dealing with change or loss is an inevitable part of life. At some point in life everyone would experience varying degrees of setbacks. Some of these challenges might be relatively minor (trying to meet up with deadline), while others are disastrous on a much larger scale (pandemic, hurricanes, terrorist attacks). How we deal with these problems can play a significant role in not only the outcome but also the long-term psychological consequences.

This resilience is the difference between handling pressure and just losing your cool. There is no successful recovery from any setback or failure without RESILIENCE! It helps one to be tough mentally and emotionally, and to better handle ones self in difficulty. A resilient person maintains a positive outlook and would cope with stress more effectively. This does not mean that they experience less distress, grief, or anxiety than others, it simply means that they are better at handling and bouncing back from difficulties in ways that foster strength and growth.

Research has shown that some people who have resilience naturally, maybe as a result of personality or temperament, which for some it is learnt because resilience is a behaviour that can be learned. Here is my recommendation on how to go about it;

Build a positive social network:

Connecting with empathetic and understanding people can remind you that you’re not alone in the midst of difficulties. Focus on finding trustworthy and compassionate individuals who validate your feelings, which will support the skill of resilience. Although simply talking about the situation with a friend or loved one won't make your troubles go away, it only allows you to share your feelings, get support, receive positive feedback, and come up with possible solutions to your problems.

Embrace change:

Change they say is constant. Therefore, accepting that change is inevitable in life and being flexible in our mind is an essential part of resilience. By learning how to be more adaptable, you'll be better equipped to respond when faced with a life crisis. Resilient people often utilize these events as an opportunity to branch out in new directions. While some people may be crushed by abrupt changes, highly resilient individuals are able to adapt and thrive.

Positive thinking:

Like I said before, being resilient doesn't mean you are devoid of the pain, so also positive thinking does not mean ignoring the problem in order to focus on positive outcomes. It means understanding that setbacks are temporary and that you have the skills and abilities to combat the challenges you face. Though staying optimistic during dark periods can be difficult, but maintaining a hopeful outlook is an important part of resiliency.

Focus on what you can control:

When faced with a crisis or problem, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the things that feel far beyond your control. Instead of wishing there was some way you could go back in time or change things, try focusing only on the things that are in your control.

Build your problem solving skills:

Research suggests that people who are able to come up with solutions to a problem are better able to cope with problems than those who cannot. Whenever you encounter a new challenge, make a quick list of some of the potential ways you could solve the problem.

Foster wellness:

Mindfulness, yoga, and other spiritual practices like prayer or meditation can also help people build connections and restore hope, which can prime them to deal with situations that require resilience.

Self-care is a legitimate practice for mental health and building resilience. That’s because stress is just as much physical as it is emotional. Promoting positive lifestyle factors like proper nutrition, ample sleep, hydration, and regular exercise can strengthen your body to adapt to stress and reduce the toll of emotions like anxiety or depression

Seek help:

Getting help when you need it is crucial in building your resilience. For many people, finding their own way may be difficult and even using the kinds of strategies listed above may be enough for building their resilience. But at times, an individual might get stuck or have difficulty making progress on the road to resilience. 

This is where we would need to seek help from mental health practitioner/counsellor. They are better trained to help and guide you through those difficult times. 

Thank you for your time... Till next time

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