How to Build Emotional Resilience

How do you deal with stressful situations? If you find that a negative interaction can strip you of your motivation for the day, or that a stressful event causes you to spiral into endless anxiety, you may need to work on your emotional resilience. Emotional resilience is essential to mental well-being, equipping individuals to navigate life's challenges with grace and adaptability. If you believe that you are lacking in that department, the good news is that emotional resilience can be developed!

What is Emotional Resilience?


Emotional resilience is the ability to cope with and adapt to stressful situations and adverse events. Emotionally resilient individuals possess key characteristics such as adaptability, optimism, and the ability to bounce back from setbacks. While resilience does not erase life’s challenges, it significantly impacts your ability to overcome them.

The Benefits of High Emotional Resilience


Emotionally resilient individuals enjoy a wealth of benefits due to their ability to “bounce back” from adverse experiences, including:

With so many benefits, emotional resilience is a skill worth developing!

Factors Influencing Emotional Resilience


If you suspect that your emotional resilience is on the low side, it’s important to know that this does not represent a personal failing. Many factors play a role in resilience, including:

How to Increase Emotional Resilience


The good news is that emotional resilience can be cultivated! You can support your emotional resilience by:

Overcoming Obstacles to Emotional Resilience


As you work on cultivating your emotional resilience, you may find that old patterns and behaviors are hindering your progress. 

A common obstacle that many find difficult to overcome is negative self-talk. In spite of your best efforts, you may hear an inner critic commenting on your every move. To move forward, it’s important to challenge and transform that pessimistic internal dialogue. The first step is recognizing such thoughts as harmful. Try to get in the habit of pausing and evaluating those critical thoughts. Imagine that someone is making the same comment about a loved one; how would you respond? Engage the negative thought with affirmations about what is actually true, your good qualities, and the things in your life that you are grateful for.

Recognizing the strength in seeking support is another key aspect of resilience, but you may hold the belief that reaching out for help is a sign of weakness. You may feel that you are not worthy of help, or that you would be bothering someone by reaching out to them. Challenge these views, and try to see seeking support as a proactive strategy for overcoming hurdles. Everybody needs help sometimes!

Support to Build Emotional Resilience


Emotional resilience is a powerful ally for mental well-being and overall happiness. Cultivating resilience is an ongoing process that involves self-awareness, positive habits, and a willingness to learn from life's challenges. As you embark on this journey, remember that seeking professional guidance is a proactive step towards building enduring emotional resilience. At Medens Health, our talented team will meet you where you are at and help you move forward with strategies to cultivate this vital skill. Reach out to us by phone or text at (833) 624-5400, send us a message using our online contact form, or get started here!


Disclaimer:

The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical or mental health. If you don’t currently have a therapist, we can connect you with one who is qualified to give you safe, professional, and ethical advice regarding your mental health.

If you or someone you are responsible for is experiencing a medical emergency, is considering harming themselves or others, or is otherwise in imminent danger, you should call 9-1-1 and/or take them to the nearest emergency room.