Help with building resilience

Learn to bend, not break

Resilience is the ability to be realistically optimistic, flexible, motivated, and determined in the face of personal challenges. While it is a way to manage stress, it’s also a result of strengthening your ability to manage stress – and it points the way to increased health and happiness overall.

Explore the resilience techniques below, or call us at 800-236-3231 for a free consultation.

Know yourself

Resilience is built on a foundation of self-awareness and self-acceptance.

  • Always listen to your body and be aware of your mood. Define what you need emotionally and physically.
  • Spend time building positive beliefs about who you are and what you can do. Remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments.
  • Accept that pain and stress are a part of life, and they come and go. Trust that no matter what happens, you will bounce back using the coping skills you’ve learned.

Define your purpose

Make decisions based on a deep understanding of what’s important to you and why.

  • Think about the “who, what, and why” in your life and explore what those relationships and experiences have taught you, about yourself or the world.
  • Identify what is within your control and realm of responsibility – and what isn’t. This can be difficult, but remember the popular saying that while you cannot change the behavior of others, you can change the way you behave towards others.
  • Know that you don’t have to have all the answers. Many things don’t have ready solutions. Take stressful periods one day at a time.

Surround yourself with support

A solid support system is key to bringing out the best in yourself – and your life.

  • Seek out and surround yourself with positive people for fun, support, or just to enjoy a quiet time with company. Developing and using a strong support system is one of the most effective ways to overcome obstacles or challenges.
  • Be a part of your own support system. Recognize the good habits you’ve learned that bring positive feelings into your life, whether they’re physical, emotional, or mental habits. Make them a priority in your life.
  • Ask for help when you need it. Identify the friends and family who are good listeners, whom you can trust to be honest with you and who always have your back. Reach out to them when you need extra support.

Get creative

Find more methods for reducing stress, increasing mindfulness, and building resilience from these websites and organizations.

  • The American Psychological Association (apa.org) offers a complete guide to resilience: its characteristics, ways to build it, and where to look for more support.
  • HelpGuide.org provides relaxation techniques including deep breathing, meditations, and visualization exercises.
  • Mindful.org outlines the basics of mindfulness, offers guided audio meditations, and explores the science of mindfulness, all in a friendly, easy-to-understand way.