Building resilience

Building resilience is developing the resources, skills and relationships that help you recover from stress, loss or adversity.

Definition

Mental toughness is not a fixed trait that some people have and others don't. It can be developed through social support, realistic thinking, emotion regulation, body care, a sense of meaning and experiences of effective coping. It doesn't mean being insensitive or going through it all alone.

Key ideas

  1. Back to balance
  2. Resources and relationships
  3. Learning to cope

Practice and life

After a difficult event, do a short review: what supported me, what weakened me, what I need next time. From this, build one procedure for the future.

Common misconceptions

It is a mistake to confuse resilience with toughness and suppression of emotions. It is also a mistake to expect immunity without sleep, relationships and regeneration. > Resilience does not mean that nothing hurts, but that a person continues to act despite the pain. > — Guru Element

Questions for self-reflection

  • What helps me recover from stress?
  • Who can I ask for support?
  • What one coping skill do I want to develop?

Sources