Understanding the Power of Resilience

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.” Great definition, but what does it mean to you to have the power of resilience to create a better path in recovery, maintain good mental health, and improve your quality of life?

How Do We Become Resilient? 

Resilience is an essential quality that helps us handle life’s inevitable ups and downs and thrive. But are we born with it, or is it a learned quality? Scientists think it’s a bit of both. For example, the Harvard Graduate School of Education notes that a child who suffers trauma or conflict will likely be able to tolerate it more effectively if they have at least one strong adult relationship. 

“Resilience depends on supportive, responsive relationships and mastering a set of capabilities that can help us respond and adapt to adversity in healthy ways,” writes Harvard researcher Jack Shonkoff. “It’s those capacities and relationships that can turn toxic stress into tolerable stress.” 

So, when you were young, did you suffer some adverse childhood experiences? The Harvard scientists state that having “serve and return” interactions with a trusted adult helps establish the foundation for better emotional regulation and the ability to adapt which, hopefully, generates a more balanced perspective on life, especially when combined with positive experiences. This, in turn, helps children use various coping skills that build resilience.

Is all hope lost if we didn’t grow up with a trustworthy support system? Not at all. The APA notes that “psychological research demonstrates that the resources and skills associated with resilience can be cultivated and practiced.” 

How Does Being Resilient Help You?

You may have already surprised yourself during recovery with your ability to face a challenge directly and find methods to overcome it. Maybe during inpatient rehabilitation, you learned the various aspects that contributed to addiction and, as the phrase goes, “did the work” to acknowledge them and find new ways to manage behavior more healthfully. This is a notable accomplishment, and it’s just one example of how resilience helps you during life’s more trying times. 

Here are some other reasons why developing this characteristic matters, and different methods you can use to build better resiliency.    

Better Mental Health

People with high resilience are less likely to experience mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, and are more likely to have a positive self-image and life satisfaction. Additionally, they manage stress effectively and recover from traumatic events, reducing the likelihood of long-term psychological distress. Researchers indicate that practicing the “7 Cs” really helps. 

Improved Physical Health

Stress negatively impacts physical health, leading to conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, and weakened immune function. Using more healthful ways to manage stress creates a circle of resiliency. Within this circle are other vital aspects of wellness, such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, and sufficient sleep, further enhancing your overall wellbeing.

Stronger Personal Relationships

Resilient individuals focus on improving communication, building empathy, and learning conflict resolution skills with people in their lives. They also trust that they have a solid support system to help them during tough times. These qualities help build stronger, more supportive, and more satisfying relationships. The Greater Good Science Center lists numerous other benefits of strengthening your social ties. 

Greater Professional Success

In the workplace, resilience is a valuable asset. It enables individuals to handle job stress, adapt to change, and recover from setbacks. You’re also able to be more productive and committed, and develop the ability to learn from failures and use them as opportunities for growth. This characteristic also enhances academic achievement, especially if you’re a young adult or charting a course to higher learning. Positive Psychology offers five ways to boost resilience at work. 

So if this concept is totally new to you, take heart: “Resilience can be built; it’s not an innate trait or a resource that can be used up,” Shonkoff states. 

Seabrook: Giving You the Power to Heal

Building resiliency provides you with more internal control over external circumstances, especially those out of your control. At Seabrook’s four award-winning addiction treatment centers in New Jersey, our board-certified professionals provide numerous techniques to help you live better in mind, body, and spirit. Learning more about who you are, where you came from, and how you want to move forward is the foundation of our evidence-based solutions.  Talk with an admissions team member today to learn how The Seabrook Model creates a solid foundation of healing.