Resilience and mental wellbeing are closely interconnected. Because resilience refers to an individual's ability to adapt and recover from adversity or stressful situations. And mental wellbeing refers to a state of positive mental health that allows individuals to feel good about themselves, cope with life’s challenges, and maintain healthy relationships. So, in one shape or form, good mental wellbeing is founded on how resilient we are.
Resilience can have a significant impact on mental wellbeing because it allows individuals to better cope with stress, adversity, and other challenges that can negatively affect mental health. When we have high levels of resilience, we’re more likely to have a positive outlook on life and feel capable of overcoming obstacles. This can lead to higher levels of self-esteem, self-confidence, and overall mental wellbeing.
Resilience is also the ability to bounce back from adversity and cope with stress, and when people show more resilience in day-to-day life, they tend to have better mental health. Resilience also helps us manage difficult emotions, build strong relationships, and recognize our strengths.
Having a solid sense of resilience can make the difference between feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges and having the capacity to think positively, tackle problems head-on, and look for solutions. And we can use our own experiences of resilience to help others find strength when they are feeling less resilient.
But how important is mental wellbeing to resilience?
Mental wellbeing is feeling a sense of satisfaction, contentment and peace. It includes physical, psychological, spiritual, emotional and interpersonal wellbeing. But achieving this state is not always straightforward, due to the adversity that life can throw us. But the more resilience we have, the better we manage the stress of these events, which reduces the impact of adversity on our wellbeing.
Adequate resilience levels keep us positive even during challenging situations and agile enough to choose the coping strategies that we know work. Furthermore, fostering self-care practices like mindfulness or time for physical exercise helps create a balance between managing stress and finding enjoyment in leisure activities.
Good Mental Health
How are resilience and mental wellbeing related? To put it simply, we can’t maintain good mental wellbeing without personal resilience.
But how do we build up our resilience?
Some of the best ways to build our resilience are by developing really simple, healthy habits. These could include practising positive thoughts, making an effort to grow social connections and participating in physical activities, which can reduce stress levels and help improve our overall mood.
The ultimate result of increased resilience is the cultivation of internal strength which allows us to become better equipped to deal with whatever life throws at us. And this is a really powerful asset for our mental wellbeing.
Building resilience is also about doing things to take care of ourselves and cope with day-to-day events. Learning how to manage stress better, regulate emotions and better impulse control can also help us to build a strong foundation for resilience and overall mental wellbeing.
The Importance of Social Support
Reaching out when we are feeling at our lowest is really hard. But supportive relationships are part of our wellbeing pyramid, which means they play an essential role in maintaining optimum mental health. Connecting with family, friends, coworkers, or even a mentor, supports our resilience and makes us better equipped to deal with stressful situations.
Of all the things we can do to strengthen our resilience and better support our mental wellbeing, fostering strong relationships with others are invaluable for navigating through life's challenging moments.
Resilience and Mental Wellbeing
Resilience plays an integral part in the mental wellbeing of individuals. And being resilient doesn't mean that we will not face challenges, but it does mean that we are better equipped to manage our wellbeing in the face of stressors and difficult situations.
When we possess resilience, we can better adapt to changes, navigate personal challenges and take meaningful action to improve mental wellbeing. Resilience can be developed by developing critical skills such as problem-solving and communication, thinking positively and having a solid support system. Ultimately, cultivating resilience is an essential part of growing mental wellbeing.
6 WAYS TO IMPROVE RESILIENCE
Identify what brings you joy and peace
Develop strong problem-solving skills
Foster meaningful relationships with those around you
Practise self-care in a way that works for you
Exercise regularly
Take a few minutes every day to enjoy an activity that will reduce stress, such as journaling, deep breathing or mindfulness activities