Resilience is the ability to effectively adapt to challenging life experiences as defined by the American Psychological Association (APA). It involves having the emotional and behavioral flexibility to navigate both external demands according to the APA. "It's, about your capacity to withstand adversity rebound from setbacks and thrive despite lifes hardships " explains Dr. Amit Sood, MD. Dr. Sood is the director of the Global Center for Resiliency and Well Being and the creator of the Resilient Option program. (Dr. Sood is also a member of the Everyday Health Wellness Advisory Board.)
It's important to acknowledge that building resilience is a process that requires effort over time. It entails developing traits and skills such, as self esteem and effective communication while also benefiting from social support systems and available resources. Being resilient doesn't mean that individuals don't go through stress, emotional turmoil and hardship. Showing resilience involves working through pain and suffering.
Throughout life people encounter forms of adversity. These can be crises, like illness the loss of a loved one, abuse, bullying, job loss or financial instability. Additionally there's the shared reality of events reported in the news such as attacks, mass shootings, natural disasters, global pandemics and war. People need to learn how to cope with and navigate these life experiences.
Resilience theory encompasses the concepts surrounding how individuals are impacted by and adapt to circumstances like adversity, change, loss and risk. Researchers have explored resilience theory across fields including psychiatry, human development and change management. According to resilience theorys perspective on behavior; resilience is not a fixed trait; instead it can be developed over time. Furthermore it is not constant. Someone may exhibit a deal of resilience in facing one challenge. Struggle more with being resilient when confronted with another stressor.
By cultivating qualities such as flexibility, adaptability, and perseverance people can tap into their resilience by making changes, to their thoughts and behaviors. Studies indicate that students who hold the belief that their intellectual abilities and social attributesre malleable and can be enhanced tend to exhibit levels of resilience. This increased resilience leads to a reduced stress response when faced with challenges. Ultimately leads to performance. Resilience encompasses five principles, gratitude, compassion, acceptance, finding meaning and forgiveness.