Mental Resilience And Managing Stress

In today’s world, there are many stressors that could negatively affect your mental wellbeing, from the constant feeling of being ‘switched on’ thanks to technology and social media, to navigating personal finances during the cost of living crisis.

Everybody deals with stress differently, however, if you are struggling to cope, you may consider looking into mental resilience and managing stress to see if there are methods that you could adopt to help you better deal with stressful situations.

What is mental resilience?

Building mental resilience means developing the ability to cope with and adapt to stress, adversity, and trauma. It’s not about being immune to these challenges, but rather about being able to move forward with your life in a healthy way.

Mental resilience is one of the four types of resilience that humans can develop to support themselves during tough times and bounce back from difficult situations.

The four types of resilience are:

Mental resilience – as explained above.
Physical resilience – the body’s ability to return to its prior state following injury or illness.
Emotional resilience – being able to regulate emotions during challenging periods (for example, overcoming the urge to break things if you are angry).
Social resilience – working with others to recover from a difficult situation that has affected your community (for example, helping others fix their homes or recover their possessions after a flood).

People who are mentally resilient have certain identifiable characteristics. These people are often rational and avoid jumping to conclusions, may have good problem solving skills, can regulate their emotions and know when to ask for help. They may view themselves as survivors, and when put in a difficult situation, have confidence that they will pull through in the end.

What factors can influence mental resilience?

While it’s absolutely possible to build mental resilience if you don’t already have it, there are some factors that make it easier for some than others. These include:

Genetics: Some people are simply born with a more resilient temperament.
Early experiences: Children who are raised in supportive and nurturing environments are more likely to develop resilience.
Coping skills: People who have learned effective coping skills, such as problem-solving, stress management, and emotional regulation, are more likely to be resilient.
Social support: People who have strong social support networks are more likely to be resilient.

How to build mental resilience

Building mental resilience isn’t necessarily something that requires the help of a mental health professional. There are many things you can work on in your own time in order to build your mental resilience. Here are a few tips:

Develop a positive outlook. This might seem easier said than done, but you can begin to harness the power of positivity by practising gratitude (being thankful for the good things in your life). You could do this by writing about the things you’re grateful for each day in a ‘gratitude journal’. It won’t be long before you develop a habit of being positive.
Practice self-care. Self-care is important for your mental health. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and spend time doing things that you enjoy.
Build a support network. Having a strong support network of friends and family can provide you with the emotional support you need to cope with stress.
Learn to manage your stress. There are many different ways to manage stress, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and time management. Find what works best for you and make it a regular part of your life.
Seek professional help if needed. If you’re struggling to cope with stress or other mental health issues, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. A therapist can teach you coping skills and help you to develop a more resilient mindset.