By: Mikayla Greeley, LMSW

Human beings are constantly striving to improve their conditions - either financially, emotionally, physically, or mentally. As part of this growth, we reach milestones and overcome new hurdles that can make life feel very stressful at times. Whether these stressors are unanticipated or planned, it is crucial to have healthy tools to overcome these difficult moments. Resilience is the skill that human beings utilize to recover from difficulties and challenges. Some people relate resiliency to increased flexibility, toughness, and adaptability, all of which can be learned and improved over time by understanding what makes you resilient. Being able to build a foundation of resilience can be helpful for when stressors pop into your life in order to remain focused on the task at hand. When considering how you can build resiliency during adversity, it can be helpful to think about the below tips:

1.     Understand your healthy coping skills.

Effective coping skills can take on many different forms depending on the relief you need. You may be someone who enjoys exercise and finds that a long run can clear your mind. Others rely on meditation as a way to center oneself and reprioritize where their energy flows. If these skills aren’t accessible or helpful to you, you could also try coloring or reading your favorite novel as a way to quiet the mind and shift your focus. Knowing that you have the techniques at your disposal that work for you can be helpful in maintaining tranquility and peace of mind during unexpected or unwelcome challenges. 

2.     Remember who you are and what you care about.

As human beings, we all derive significant self-worth in having a purpose and feeling tied to strong values. Remind yourself that you are a part of something bigger than just the difficult moment in front of you. This can be helpful in keeping you grounded and offer some perspective of life outside the obstacle you are facing. Identifying what drives you and what principles are important to you can also reinforce the strength in your character and remind you what makes you so able to overcome whatever difficult road lies ahead. 

3.     Feel confident in your competence.

It can be hard to remember how resilient you really are when you are in a moment of distress. This is why it is very important to build confidence in your capacity for managing and handling difficult situations. You have the skills and the knowledge to overcome problems when they arise, even when the problem is one that you have yet to face. Knowing that your strong judgement and abilities have gotten you where you are now can provide the mental fortitude that you are competent to conquer future challenges that may come your way.

While these tips can certainly be helpful in building and reinforcing your resiliency, it is important to consider that barriers can also get in the way of feeling resilient. These barriers can be related to unexpected health challenges, changing relationships, work or employment stress, or even discrimination. Given these conditions (and so many more not listed) are out of your control, it is important to have support systems to remind you of your strength. You are not alone! Reach out today to hello@upsidertherapy.com to share what you are going through and to connect with a therapist who can help you along the way. We are here to help!