Emotional resilience is something that doesn’t really get talked about enough. Some people are born with more of a capacity for it than others, but luckily, it’s a trait that can be developed. When you have a higher degree of emotional resilience, you’re better equipped to handle stress and manage crises more easily. Now, that’s not to say you are immune to stress. No one is. But when you build up your emotional resilience, you provide yourself with the tools you need to navigate life effectively and calmly. So how can we work on increasing our own? It all starts from within.
Self-Awareness
This means being able to tune into your own feelings, internal conflicts, and personal values. Rather than looking for help outside, or blaming the world for our miseries, self-awareness gives us the courage to look for answers within ourselves. By making us more attuned to our inner world, building self-awareness helps us in becoming more capable and cognizant.
Empathize Empathy
Empathy helps build our own self-worth. We practice seeing ourselves and everyone around us as having value. Being thankful and self-sufficient will free up energy to become empathetic. Being empathetic is also about being optimistic and assuming goodwill. The distinction is in being realistic about the world but confident in your abilities. We can see the world accurately while still remaining open and empathetic. Another bonus with practicing empathy is the “happy” effect of oxytocin, the hormone that is released when we care for others. It affects our brain chemistry and wellbeing in a real way.
Make Self-Care a Priority
Self-care is essential for emotional resilience. And I don’t mean the typical bubble bath. Self-care is a lifestyle that is comprised of daily self-love habits. Over time, these habits become routine. Your emotional and physical health are connected to one another. This is why it’s so important that you take care of your mind and body. Foster wellness by taking care of your mind and body. Eat well, stay physically active, and avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Focus on Friendship
Having good personal relationships is both a byproduct and a requirement for emotional resilience. If we have the power to build strong personal bonds, you have already taken one step forward for a resilient life. Social support plays a critical role in fostering resilience in addition to improving overall mental wellbeing. While resilient people tend to be strong individuals, they know the value of social support and prioritize surrounding themselves with supportive friends and family.
We are social creatures by nature, and being surrounded with people gives us the strength to endure and overcome problems. For building emotional resilience in a larger context, we must have the capacity to improve our existing interpersonal relationships and be open to building new ones.
main and featured image of Marsha P. Johnson at the Stonewall Riots. We highly recommend the documentary on Marsha’s life if you haven’t seen it!
