Resilience

Learn how to adapt and cope with challenges

 

 

Key points about resilience

  • Resilience is the ability to adapt well to any challenges and stressors you may face in life.
  • The more resilient you are, the more you will feel able to “bounce back” from difficult experiences.
  • We all face challenging times in our lives, but it’s how we respond to them that can help make a difference.
  • The good news is that resilience is not something you either have or don’t have.
  • There are things you do to help become more resilient.
Felled tree with green shoots showing resilience
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1. Know what you can control

Don’t confuse what you can control with what you can’t control. Some things are out of your hands – and it’s usually obvious what they are – so it pays to focus on what you can actually do to help a challenging situation you may be in.

2. Make connections

Having supportive friends or family can help during hard times. They can offer emotional and practical support. Having someone you trust to talk to can really help.

3. Be in the moment

Being mindful or in the present moment helps keep your mind focussed. Ruminating over the past or worrying about things in the future can be exhausting and unhelpful.

4. Embrace failure

Sometimes the greatest lessons in life are learned through failure or things not going your way. If you make a mistake, turn it into a positive and learn something from it. And don’t be too hard on yourself – everybody makes mistakes.

5. Accept change

Life is fluid and changing all the time. Some changes are bigger than others or completely unexpected. Accepting change and being adaptable is an important part of being resilient.

Here's a video about accepting the need for change and setting and achieving a new goal.

6. Be grateful

Sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of the big picture. Don’t focus on what you don’t have. Think about all the things you do have and that you perhaps take for granted. Writing down the things you’re grateful for can help you see the big picture.

7. Look after yourself

When you’re under pressure or stressed out it’s critical that you don’t forget about your own needs. Remember to eat healthy food, exercise and get enough rest. If you look after yourself, you will feel more prepared to face adversity.

8. Be optimistic

It’s important to keep a positive outlook during challenging times. Having hope and a belief that things will be OK can help you get through setbacks and challenges.

If you’re struggling to get through a difficult time, professional help is always available. Don’t hesitate to contact your GP or healthcare provider if you feel overwhelmed by your situation.

Video: The three secrets of resilient people | Lucy Hone | TEDxChristchurch

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(Lucy Hone, TEDx Talks, NZ, 2019)

Video: Janine Shepherd: A broken body isn't a broken person

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(Janine Shepherd – TED talks, 2012)
Watch these videos(external link) from Voice of Hope. They describe challenges people have faced and how Covid-19 has impacted them. The focus of this campaign is on the lessons that were learned, the tools that were used, and how they found the strength within them to get through.

Mental Health Foundation(external link) NZ
The road to resilience(external link) American Psychological Association
Online NZ support to strengthen wellbeing Ignite(external link), NZ

Resources

The following resources have been designed to help build resilience and improve your mental wellbeing. 

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Credits: Healthify Editorial Team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.

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