In life loss is unavoidable and change is inevitable. Just like fingerprints, each of us has a unique coping style for handling stress and adversity. What might trigger a major emotional meltdown for some may elicit no more than a shrug of the shoulders from others. How we deal with life’s challenges is key to our long-term emotional and psychological health. People who stay cool, calm, and collected while those around them bend or break, tend to have a quality that researchers term resiliency.
What Does it Mean to Be Resilient?
Resiliency involves the ability to cope with problems and setbacks and having the skills to recover from or adjust easily to adversity and change. Without a measure of resiliency, stress and change can be overwhelming. Experts believe that being resilient not only enables us to recover from challenges such as addiction, health problems, death, divorce, and job loss, but also to resurface stronger and healthier than before. For some, without the resiliency needed to face life’s challenges, it’s easy to fall into the trap of using destructive coping mechanisms or dwelling on problems instead of solving them.
How Can I Become More Resilient?
Building a reservoir of resiliency is possible at any stage of life. There are several dynamics associated with resilience, and here are a few concepts to get you started. People with strong levels of resiliency see themselves as survivors, not victims. Professionals refer to this type of outlook as an “internal locus of control.” People with an internal locus of control believe that they can influence life’s outcomes and are not powerless when faced with setbacks or disappointments. Making realistic plans and seeing them through is another behavior associated with resiliency. For example, having a realistic game plan in place to deal with triggers before they come up gives you the upper hand in adjusting to challenges. People who bounce back more easily from trauma have a positive view of themselves and their ability to manage obstacles. In the end, having a strong social support system is key to one’s level of resiliency. Having the support of family, friends, and caring professionals is crucial to maintaining strength in trying times.
Arbor Behavioral Healthcare is here to help you throughout your recovery journey. We can help you be a healthier version of yourself. Call us today at 844-413-2690. We can’t wait to speak with you and help you today!