It’s a special characteristic that determines how fast, how often you recover from being knocked down by life’s circumstances, emotional resilience.
Resilience in general has become a buzz word recently since the pandemic has brought with it, massive unemployment, financial stress, increased food insecurity for millions, and overall more depression and anxiety.
Many of us need to individually and collectively learn how to protect our peace of mind more than ever before. As Americans, we are taking a mandatory ‘master class’ on how to build the protective factors that keep us from sinking into anger, substance abuse, or deep depression. It’s also clear that people are learning to talk openly about their feelings and mental state more so than ever. Talking about pain, helps ease it. Emotional resilience allows us to be there for ourselves, our families, and others.
If your emotional cup is empty, you cannot help yourself or anyone else. Emotional resilience can be built like a muscle. It takes practice and consistency.
According to the good people at Very Well Mind, Emotional resilience refers to one’s ability to adapt to stressful situations or crises. More resilient people are able to “roll with the punches” and adapt to adversity without lasting difficulties; less resilient people have a harder time with stress and life changes, both major and minor.
If self-awareness is the first step in taking responsibility for your resilience. The next step has to be seeking support. From therapy, zoom social groups, to social media there are still lots of resources to get help when you need it. Have you checked out the resources page here?
THREE OPPORTUNITIES to BUILD YOUR RESILIENCE.
1. Embrace change and create a personal philosophy to reinforce your ability to adapt to different life stages and circumstances.
2. Be ready to seek social and professional support when needed. Sometimes you need a friend. Sometimes you need a professional therapist or spiritual advisor.
3. Be resolved in your future plans. Make practical goals that you can begin to work towards right away. Focus on the progress, not the uncertainty.
Overall when it comes to being emotionally resilient, it is inherently about being both practical and optimistic about your circumstances, the future, and your place in the future. It also helps to stay socially connected to positive people who share your outlook.