Life has its ups and downs – and that’s all part of being human. There’s no way to avoid the hard times and the lows, whether that’s big things like the loss or illness of someone you love, financial problems, or divorce. Or the smaller ones, like a bad day at work or a run-in with another driver. But when faced with hard times, do you fall into panic and despair, or do you face challenges head on, adapt, and bounce back?
How you cope can come down to your resilience. This is the ability to handle the hard and stressful times that are sure to crop up from time to time. It doesn’t mean that some people don’t have tough times and difficult emotions – just that they cope better. And the good news is that this is a skill that can be learned.
Want to be more resilient?
For most people, developing resilience takes practice. Here are some ways to help boost yours:
- Focus on the positive. Try to see the bright side of what’s happening and reframe negative thoughts.
- Make close connections and reach out when you need help. People with strong relationships tend to have more resilience.
- Manage stress. General good health hygiene practices are always helpful, like eating and sleeping well, exercising, and practicing yoga or mindfulness.
- Write it down. Think of how you coped with a hard time and the strategies you used to get through. Write it all down – the good and the bad – so you can remember and learn from it for next time.
- Don’t ignore problems. Instead, work out how you can improve things, and make a positive plan to work from.
- Set meaningful goals. Do something that gives you a purpose and sense of accomplishment every day, so you can look to the future with optimism.
Being able to cope better under pressure can help you see past your problems, find more enjoyment in life and handle stress better. A little resilience can go a long way.