The game ended and the home fans stormed the field. Their team had just defeated the hated rival school in the annual football game. At the post-game press conference, a reporter asked the winning coach, “You were behind 17-0 at halftime and being dominated by the opposition. What turned it around?” The coach smiled and said, “This team has great resiliency [coaches often use this variation of “resilience”]. They knew they weren’t playing up to their potential. But they’re tough and didn’t let their poor performance get them down. They knew what they had to do, dug down deep, and came out in the second half and ran off 21 straight points. They were focused and determined to avoid the mistakes of the first half. I’m proud of how they came back from the first half disaster.”
Coaches appear to understand the importance of resilience when meeting a challenge. Psychologists do, too, and they see the trait as an important element in the coping process. The key characteristics of a resilient person are flexibility, emotional stability, optimism, problem solving ability, sense of purpose, and a support network. Those who are resilient focus on what they can control. They are willing to learn and grow from their experiences and focus on positive actions. They are willing to reach out to others for help, work hard at a task, and persist in spite of frustration and adversity.
Psychological research shows health benefits for those high in resilience: lower levels of depression and anxiety, better immune system functioning, lower levels of stress hormones, and better overall mental health. Resilient individuals engage in energetic coping strategies based on exercise, sufficient sleep, and social activity. The latter is especially important, and resilient folks stay connected to friends and community groups, and seek support when needed. These strategies help them view failures as learning opportunities, and avoid disastrous thinking.
To foster resilience in yourself, keep a daily diary to help you process conflicts; venture outside your comfort zone occasionally, focusing on what you can control; separate your large problems into smaller ones, and deal with them slowly and deliberately; reflect on what happens and adjust your actions as needed. Doing so will help you experience contentment and satisfaction as you meet life challenges that confront you.
Psychology and Stress 