5 Ways to Recognize Resilience

ways-recognize-resilience

Why

Resilience is what many experts call “your bounce-back muscle.” It allows us to adapt when faced with adversity, which helps us to conquer our fears, tackle challenges and remain optimistic in tough situations. Research has linked a strong sense of resilience to everything from improved mental health to better stress management. Wondering how resilient you are? Here are some ways to recognize resilience in yourself.

Try this today

• You’re not afraid to ask for help. Resilient people know that sometimes they need social support to help them overcome a difficult situation. They aren’t afraid to talk with a friend or request assistance from an expert.
•  You look for the silver linings. Resilient individuals seek out the positives in difficult situations and constantly learn from life’s hurdles. Positive emotions may help you cope and bounce back from challenges, research suggests.
• You take good care of yourself. To cope with life’s trials, you need to be in good mental and physical shape. Resilient people prioritize self-care, whether eating a healthy meal, taking a brain break to meditate or getting a good night’s sleep.
• You take responsibility. One of the surest signs of resilience is refusing to consider yourself a victim, says Eva Selhub, M.D., a resiliency expert and author of Resilience for Dummies. Resilient people believe that “life is happening with me, it’s not happening to me, which means I'm a co-creator of my life and the outcomes that I'm participating in,” says Selhub.
• You have a sense of belonging. This could be achieved through activities such as religion, meditation or connecting with nature. “A higher sense of spirituality conveys better health and well-being as well as resilience,” Selhub says. Resilient people also surround themselves with a network of supportive individuals.