6.4
Build Resilience

On the next few pages we'll learn more about effective ways of coping.

One way to effectively cope with challenges is to build resilience. Resilient people tend to look on the bright side of things in a confident and warm way. Luckily, resilience can be learned and developed in anyone. Building resilience takes time but can become second nature the more you do it.

Select each suggestion for building resilience to learn more.

Seek to understand aspects of situations that can be changed. Spending energy on circumstances that cannot be altered leads to frustration, fatigue, and feelings of doubt. Instead, use problem solving and communication skills to address aspects of the problem that can be changed.

Putting too much pressure on yourself to "take care of everything" or "do everything right" can be hard on your self-esteem. Give yourself a break if you make mistakes. Also, make sure you are setting realistic goals. Not only does this make you more likely to succeed, but it also creates positive feelings. Do something regularly (even if it seems small) that moves you in the right direction.

Bad things happen. Allowing yourself to express feelings of sadness, grief, or anger is part of being emotionally healthy. Being resilient does not mean doing everything right. People who tend to bounce back from challenges do so because they are able to find meaning in negative events. Try to reframe negative events to a lesson learned or an opportunity to do something life-affirming.

Everyday there is something to be grateful for, whether it is on a grand scale, or a simple pleasure. Writing down five things that you appreciate each day can help with a positive mood and build resilience. Listing these things before bedtime helps people sleep better. Take the time to recognize when things go right.