Building Resilience

Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress— such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems or workplace and financial stressors. It is the quality that stands out as the ultimate survival skill. Resilient people are more likely to bounce back from stressful or traumatic situations, and they demonstrate an optimistic attitude, opting to see the lessons in failure. 

It is important to become resilient as all the societal upheaval happening can be overwhelming for all. Recent economic crises have led to uncertainty which is contributing to the stress and mental health issues. Becoming more resilient is thus not only essential for dealing with the current changes, but also for becoming more resistant to disruption in the long term. Some of the ways to develop resilience are: 

• The most important way that you can build resilience is by having a purpose for what you do. This purpose is in everything you do, so from your work, your family time, fun with friends and how you look after yourself. When you have a clear purpose for why you do all of these things, you will find it a lot easier to build resilience when difficulties (like failure) arise. The best way to have a purpose is by asking yourself why you are doing a particular task/activity/life choice. We tend to be conditioned by society and our parents with regards to the choices we make in life, only to find out later down the line that we didn’t actually make these decisions. Knowing what matters to you by clearly defining your values, will help you reach the answers you seek from purpose.

• It is important to feel your feelings but there is also a thin line between feeling your feelings and just wallowing. If you choose to build resilience then you choose to mindfully acknowledge your feelings so that you can move on from sadness or difficulties that you face.

• Resilience might conjure up an image of a solitary figure tackling the challenges thrown on the way. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Resilience has a lot to do with leaning on the people around you and with developing strong, supportive connections. Friendships are shown to reduce stress and increase your lifespan.

• Gaining perspective and establishing trust in your own abilities can go a long way toward building resilience. Keeping a list of accomplishments you’re proud of can be a good reminder of times you’ve been resilient before — and the push you need to do it again.

• When you take care of your mind and body, you're better able to cope effectively with challenges in your life. Develop a good sleep routine, try out a new exercise or use physical relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or meditation.

• Every mistake has the power to teach you something important, so look for the lesson in every situation. Also, make sure that you understand the idea of "post-traumatic growth" – often people find that crisis situations, such as a job loss or the breakdown of a relationship, allow them to re-evaluate their lives and make positive changes.

Building resilience is an ongoing journey that requires patience, practice, and perseverance. It's about developing the skills and mindset to navigate life's inevitable ups and downs with resilience and grace. By cultivating a positive outlook, fostering strong relationships, and learning from mistakes, you can strengthen your resilience and emerge stronger from adversity.

Remember, resilience is not about avoiding hardship; it's about facing it head-on and emerging stronger on the other side. So embrace life's challenges as opportunities for growth, and remember that you have the inner strength and resources to overcome whatever comes your way. With resilience as your ally, you can weather any storm and emerge victorious.