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Have you ever wondered why some people seem to remain calm in the face of disaster, while others seem to fall apart? People that are able to keep their cool have what psychologists call resilience, or an ability to cope with problems and setbacks. Resilient people are able to utilize their skills and strengths to cope and recover from problems and challenges. During such times as a pandemic resilience becomes an important part of thriving in your daily life Here, psychologist Mamta Saha shares her tips for building resilience and what to do if you get knocked down.
How to build resilience?
According to many experts, resilience is actually quite common, and people are very capable of learning the skills that it takes to become more resilient.
. Affirm daily! Build positive beliefs in your abilities. Research has demonstrated that self-esteem plays an important role in coping with stress and recovering from difficult events. Remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments. Becoming more confident about your own ability to respond and deal with a crisis is a great way to build resilience for the future. Affirmations are a great tool.
. Find a sense of purpose in your life. In the face of crisis or tragedy, finding a sense of purpose can play an important role in recovery. This might involve participating in activities that are meaningful to you
Develop a strong social network. Having supportive people around you acts as a protective factor during times of crisis. It is important to have people you can confide in. While simply talking about a situation with a friend or loved one will not make troubles go away, it allows you to share your feelings, gain support, and come up with possible solutions to your problems.
What is the best way to deal with challenges and problems?
. Develop your problem-solving skills. Research suggests that people who are able to come up with solutions to a problem are better able to cope with problems than those who cannot. Whenever you encounter a new challenge, make a quick list of some of the potential ways you could solve the problem. Experiment with different strategies and focus on developing a logical way to work through common problems. By practicing your problem-solving skills on a regular basis, you will be better prepared to cope when a serious challenge emerges.
. Establish goals. Crisis situations are daunting. They may even seem insurmountable. Resilient people are able to view these situations in a realistic way and then set reasonable goals to deal with the problem. When you find yourself becoming overwhelmed by a situation, take a step back to simply assess what is before you. Brainstorm possible solutions, and then break them down into manageable steps.
How do you get up when you’ve been knocked down?
Be optimistic. Staying optimistic during dark periods can be difficult, but maintaining a hopeful outlook is an important part of resiliency. Positive thinking does not mean ignoring the problem in order to focus on positive outcomes. It means understanding that setbacks are transient and that you have the skills and abilities to combat the challenges you face. What you are dealing with may be difficult, but it is important to remain hopeful and positive about a brighter future.
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