The Power Of Resilience: Overcoming Life Challenges
By Shelley Galasso Bonanno, MA, LLP
Resilience is the capacity to adjust and recuperate from difficult circumstances, emerging emotionally stronger as a result. It encompasses not merely enduring adversities but also evolving and enhancing through them. Research consistently reveals a strong positive correlation between resilience and happiness. This quality is a key factor for mental health and well-being, assisting individuals in handling stress, surmounting challenges, boosting happiness, and maintaining a positive outlook. Resilient individuals are better equipped to handle life’s stresses, recover from setbacks, and tend to experience less negative effects from stressful life events.
Everyone encounters fear, particularly when facing challenges or uncertainties. Yet, fear can immobilize us and hinder our ability to embrace growth opportunities. It’s crucial to learn techniques to calm ourselves. If you notice that a challenge is causing rising stress and anxiety, take measures to relax, like practicing deep breathing and substituting negative thoughts with positive ones. Although we can’t necessarily control the events that occur, we can decide how to react. Resilience is a vital trait for overcoming life’s challenges and becoming stronger. So, how can one build resilience?
Various elements affect our ability to be resilient. Emotional support and encouragement come from nurturing relationships with family, friends and colleagues. Building connections with supportive people creates a sense of belonging and safety. Maintaining an optimistic and hopeful perspective allows individuals to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than as setbacks. Keeping things in perspective is essential. Being flexible and open to change assists individuals in adapting to new circumstances and solving problems, establishing a future pattern. Facing challenges with a problem-solving approach helps in finding effective solutions and boosting confidence.
Engaging in self-care and maintaining physical and mental well-being through regular exercise, a nutritious diet, and adequate rest is essential for building resilience. Establishing achievable goals and working towards them can provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment, thereby increasing our ability to be more resilient when encountering difficulties.
Resilience entails adaptability and can be developed and nurtured by most individuals. While some people naturally possess a strong degree of resilience, others might need to
acquire skills to develop it. It is a crucial trait that enables individuals to confront life’s challenges and become stronger. By nurturing supportive relationships, staying optimistic, practicing self-care, setting achievable goals, and improving problem-solving abilities, resilience can help us reset and recover from adversity and thrive.
If your anxiety continues to rise despite your efforts, seeking help from a licensed professional can assist in processing your emotions and helping develop resilience.
A lifelong resident of Macomb County, Shelley Galasso Bonanno is a practicing limited licensed psychologist who earned her master’s degree from Wayne State University in 1987. She has a breadth of experience in working with adults, children, families, and couples.
In addition to working in private practice, Ms. Bonanno performs consultative services for State and forensic agencies. She performs custody and parenting time evaluations and is a court approved mediator. Her writings have appeared in various online and print publications. An advocate for mental health, you can follow Ms. Bonanno on X
(Twitter) @shelleybonanno.
