What is Resilience?

So what is resilience actually?

Resilience is the ability to adapt and bounce back in the face of adversity. It's the ability to withstand difficult situations and come out stronger on the other side. Resilience is an essential trait that can help individuals navigate the ups and downs of life. In this article, we'll explore some key strategies for building resilience, including evaluating control, practising self-care, understanding thought patterns, learning to be present, understanding and ordering priorities, and dealing with change in a new COVID world.

 

Practising Self-Care

Another important aspect of building resilience is practising self-care. Self-care involves taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It includes activities like getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, and taking time to do things that make you happy. When you prioritise self-care, you're better equipped to handle stress and difficult situations. You have more energy, focus, and emotional stability. Additionally, self-care can help prevent burnout and promote overall well-being.

Evaluating Control

One of the keys to building resilience is evaluating control. While we can't control everything in life, there are many things that we can control. For example, we can control our reactions to situations, our attitudes, and our choices. Focusing on what we can control makes us feel more empowered and better equipped to handle difficult situations. When faced with a challenging situation, taking a step back and assessing what you can control is essential. This will help you focus your energy and attention where needed most.

Understanding Thought Patterns

Our thoughts can have a significant impact on our ability to be resilient. Negative thoughts and beliefs can create a self-fulfilling prophecy, making it harder to bounce back from difficult situations. For example, if you believe you're incapable of handling a particular challenge, you're more likely to give up or become overwhelmed. On the other hand, if you have a positive outlook and believe in your ability to overcome challenges, you're more likely to persevere. Understanding and challenging negative thought patterns are essential for building resilience.

Learning to Be Present

Practising mindfulness and learning to be present can also help build resilience. Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It helps you stay grounded and focused, even in difficult situations. Being present can better manage stress, reduce anxiety, and improve overall well-being. Additionally, mindfulness can help you develop a greater sense of self-awareness, which is essential for building resilience.

Understanding and Ordering Priorities

Prioritising what's important is another key aspect of building resilience. When we know what our priorities are, we can make better decisions and allocate our time and energy more effectively. Understanding our values and what matters most to us can help us stay motivated and focused, even in difficult times. Additionally, we can better manage stress and prevent burnout when we order our priorities.

Dealing with Change in a New COVID World

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant changes and challenges to our lives. Practising the strategies we've discussed above is essential to build resilience in this new world. Additionally, we can do some specific things to deal with change and uncertainty.

Here are some ways to build and maintain resilience:

  1. Accept change: Accept that the world has changed, and things may not return to how they were before. Accepting change allows us to focus on what we can control and adapt to new situations.

  2. Stay connected: Stay connected with friends and family, even just through virtual means. Social support is crucial for building resilience and reducing stress.

  3. Take care of yourself: Practice self-care by getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising regularly. Taking care of yourself physically can help you feel better mentally and emotionally.

  4. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help reduce stress and improve resilience.

  5. Learn new skills: Learning new skills can help you adapt to new situations and increase your sense of confidence and competence.

  6. Focus on the present: Focus on the present moment and what you can do to make the best of the situation. Worrying about the future can increase stress and anxiety.

  7. Find meaning: Finding meaning in difficult situations can help you build resilience and bounce back from challenges. Look for ways to help others or contribute to something meaningful.

Remember that building resilience takes time and practice. By staying connected, taking care of yourself, and focusing on what you can control, you can build the resilience needed to thrive in a new COVID world.

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