Resourceful Resilience

Resilience is not just your ability to bounce back, but also your capacity to adapt in the face of challenging circumstances, whilst maintaining a stable mental well-being (MIND). Resilience is related to the capacity to activate the prefrontal cortex and calm the amygdala. When this happens, the physiological changes that are triggered by stress start to reverse, expanding the capacity to recover from, adapt to, or find a solution to stress, challenge or adversity.

Resilience is not genetically defined and can be strengthened at any age. We can change the wiring of the brain through the experiences we expose it to. So, our resilience pathways in our brain and bodies develop through our infant years and can be advanced, changed and fine-tuned even into older age.

If you are someone who can generally cope with change and ‘pick yourself up’, you may be called resilient. If you struggle with change and ‘climbing back on the horse’ you may need some skills to up-your-resilience. This is especially important if you are feeling out of control and overwhelmed often.

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Characteristics of resilient people are:
- having a feeling of control over the things they can control
- being able to problem solve
- having strong sense of community
- identify as able to cope (not as a victim)
- being able to ask for help.

Skills to Improve Resilience from MIND

Life style changes: practice being assertive and communicating what you want and need clearly, using relaxation techniques, develop your interests and hobbies, make time for friends and find balance in your life
Look after your physical health: get enough sleep, be active and eat healthily
Give yourself a break: reward your achievements, get a change of scenery, take a break or holiday, resolve conflicts and forgive yourself
Build your support network: tell friends and family how you feel, get support at work, uni or college, share your experiences with peer support, use specialist websites and organisations, your GP and local MIND

Remember:


- Flexibility is an essential part of resilience. So, practice, where you can and within your limits, being flexible. Change the date in your diary and make an unplanned decision to see a friend.
- Having confidence in your own ability to cope with the stresses of life can play an important part in resilience.
- In the face of crisis or tragedy, finding a sense of purpose can play an important role in resilience.
- Resilient people are able to view these situations in a realistic way and then set reasonable goals to deal with the problem.

Much of the above is about good self-care, using skills and perspective. Please see the previous ‘honest self-care’ and ‘understanding change’ blogs to help you further with resilience.

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/stress/developing-resilience/#collapse67c85
https://www.heysigmund.com/building-resilience-children/
https://www.verywellmind.com/ways-to-become-more-resilient-2795063
https://www.verywellmind.com/characteristics-of-resilience-2795062