Building emotional resilience
“Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.”- Angela Duckworth, psychologist, popular science author, and academic.
Emotional resilience is the ability to bounce back from difficulties. It’s not a quick fix that glosses over a problem or uses toxic positivity to avoid stressors. Emotional resilience is more like having a superpower for your feelings. It means being able to manage challenging situations and feel strong even when things are tough.
Scientific research on women's emotional resilience suggests that women generally exhibit higher levels of emotional resilience compared to men.
Why is emotional resilience important?
Emotional resilience is important because it helps us navigate through the ups and downs of life with greater strength and adaptability. Life can be full of challenges and stressful situations. With a reserve of emotional resilience, we can handle stress better, allowing us to stay calm, focused, and find solutions to problems instead of getting overwhelmed.
Emotions are a natural part of being human and emotional resilience helps us understand and manage our emotions in a healthy way. This ability allows us to regulate our emotions, express them appropriately, and bounce back from negative experiences.
Friendship, marriage, family relationship; almost every relationship in your life thrives on resilience. Resilience means we can build and maintain healthy relationships. When we’re emotionally resilient, we are likely to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and show empathy towards others.
It’s the rare person who never experienced failure. Setbacks and frustrations are necessary evils, but emotional resilience gives us the ability to recover from setbacks, learn from them and keep moving forward. It helps us maintain a positive mindset and view challenges as opportunities for growth.
Emotional resilience also plays an essential role in maintaining good mental health. It reduces the risk of developing mental health issues like anxiety and depression by equipping us with coping strategies and a positive outlook on life.
Resilience is closely linked to perseverance and determination. It helps us stay focused on our goals, even in the face of obstacles or setbacks. With emotional resilience, we are more likely to stay motivated, and committed to achieving our aspirations.
Emotional resilience empowers us to adapt to change, cope with adversity and thrive in various aspects of our lives. It enhances our overall wellbeing, relationships, and success in both personal and professional endeavours.
Tips to build emotional resilience
- Start by becoming aware of your emotions, strengths, and areas for growth. Practise mindfulness and self-reflection to understand your emotional triggers and patterns.
- Surround yourself with positive and supportive people who uplift and inspire you. Build strong relationships with friends, family, mentors, or support groups who can provide guidance and empathy during challenging times.
- Take care of your wellbeing. Engage in activities that bring you joy, such as exercise, hobbies, or relaxation techniques. Prioritise self-care to replenish your emotional reserves.
- Develop healthy ways to cope with stress and adversity. This can include techniques like deep breathing exercises, journaling, meditation or engaging in creative outlets.
- Challenge negative thoughts and reframe them into more positive and realistic perspectives. Focus on the things you have control over, rather than dwelling on what you cannot change.
- Learn how to assertively communicate your needs and establish boundaries in your personal and professional relationships. No is a complete sentence, and you are allowed to politely decline activities or commitments that overwhelm you.
- Enhance your ability to effectively solve problems and make decisions. Break down complex challenges into smaller, manageable steps, and find solutions that align with your values and goals.
If you find it challenging to build emotional resilience on your own, there’s no shame in getting support from a therapist. They can provide guidance, tools and strategies that are specifically tailored to your needs. Remember, building emotional resilience is a journey that takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress along the way.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.