Resilience isn’t innate like willpower; rather it's a mix of personality traits, life experiences, and  the environment we grow up in. While bouncing back from adversity is a huge part of resilience, however, resilience also means adapting, growing, or even redefining what strength looks like.

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So, what makes someone more resilient? And more importantly, how can you cultivate it? Let’s get into eight strategies to help you navigate  through difficult times with confidence.

 

Related story: 8 Ways to Enhance Resilience in Children Through Creativity

 

What Makes Someone More Resilient?

A 2022 research in the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology suggests that resilience is shaped by a mix of personality traits, life experiences, mindset, and support systems.

Some factors that contribute to a resilient mindset include:

• Emotional Regulation: If you’re mentally strong enough stay calm and not react recklessly, this makes you resilient. 
• Optimism: It’s about believing that setbacks are temporary and that you can figure things out. 
• Self-awareness: When you understand how you usually react to stress, you can adjust and make better choices.
• Adaptability: The capacity to adjust to new circumstances without feeling defeated. In other words, accept the challenge or defeat and grow with the change. 
• Strong Social Support: Having friends, family, or mentors to lean on is a blessing. Make most of this boon and keep going. 

Related story: 8 Ways to Develop Resilience in Kids

8 Strategies To Stay Resilient During Tough Times

Dealing with life’s challenges requires a strong mindset. The good thing about resilience is that it can be built from scratch. Learn about eight ways to develop resilience and face difficult times.

1. Stay Connected With Your Loved Ones
It is inevitable to feel lost during hard times. Hard times feel easier when you have people to lean on. Forging a strong bond with your family, friends, or a mentor, having a support system makes all the difference. When you know you have someone you can trust, help you sail along through hard times with hope. 

 

2. Strengthen Your Body 
A strong mind dwells in a strong body. Fitness is more about being mentally healthy. When you feel good physically, you can handle stress better. Sleep, movement, and healthy food help keep your mind strong too. Also, take sufficient sleep to recover. 

 

3. Find Purpose in Tough Times 
Challenging times can temporarily make you feel aimless with no purpose in life. But, that's not the case. Even during difficult times, one has to find the strength to leap towards a bigger purpose. Knowing what drives you can help you push through setbacks. You can do anything that gives you a sense of excitement like creating, helping others, or chasing what you love most. 

 

4. Accept Changes in Life
Change is a part of life. The more you adapt and stay flexible, the less stressful it feels. To become resilient, focus on what you can do and control. Leave what you can't. Don't hold on to something which can never be yours or beyond your ability. Consider transition as an opportunity, not a setback.

 

5. Believe in Yourself Always
No matter what others think or say, it is your sole responsibility to avoid any negativity that pollutes your mindset. Confidence isn’t about knowing everything, it’s about trusting yourself enough to figure things out yourself. Think highly of your ability to get past any obstacle in life. Self-doubt kills confidence. Trust in yourself and build resilience. 

 

6. Keep Positive Thinking
When things go wrong, it’s easy to think it’s the end of the world. Zoom out and remember that tough times don’t last, tough people do. This mantra can surely help you become resilient. Apart from this, meditation and journaling also helps develop resilience. 

 

7. Find Solutions, Not Problems 
One of the important things about resilience is focusing on solutions instead of problems. It’s easy to get stuck dwelling on what’s wrong, but shifting your mindset toward finding solutions no matter how small helps you move forward. 

 

8. Manage Your Emotions 
Bottling up feelings only makes stress worse, while acknowledging them helps you respond in a healthier way. When emotions run high, pause and try to process what you're feeling: frustrated or anxious. This creates awareness and prevents emotions from taking over.

 

Related story: People With High Emotional Intelligence Make Great Leaders

 

Resilience is about mastering the art of navigating challenges with strength and confidence. By surrounding yourself with supportive people, prioritizing your physical well-being, and focusing on solutions rather than problems, you can cultivate the mental toughness essential for handling life's ups and downs. Effectively managing your emotions, maintaining perspective, and embracing change are all crucial components in ensuring you bounce back from setbacks.

Need all your wellness solutions in one place? A whole new world awaits just a click away.