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How resilient are you feeling today? It’s probably not a question you ask yourself a lot. But be honest. Today, I would say my resilience is a 6 out of 10. Ask me again by the end of the summer holidays and I might tell you it’s a 3. But why do I ask?
Resilience is a topic that came up a lot during my mindset coaching session, and well, our resilience levels can determine how we react to what life throws at us. The levels may go up and down, and depending on how resilient we feel going into a normal day, this will affect how we handle various situations and relationships, but what I’ve learned is that we are in charge of our own resilience and building it up is fully in our power.
Resilience is a vital skill that can determine our mental and emotional well-being. There are hidden costs of not developing this crucial ability, but also numerous benefits that come with building resilience. Here’s how to foster a stronger, more resilient mindset.
Let’s start with what resilience actually is:
At its core, resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity, adapt to change and keep moving forward despite challenges. It involves not just enduring hardships but also growing and learning from them.
Top Tip: Think of resilience as a muscle: the more you train it, the stronger it becomes.
Disadvantages of Low Resilience
So what happens when resilience is low and we don’t make an effort to build it up?
You’ll have difficulty navigating change. Change is unavoidable, whether it’s in our personal life, relationships or professional life. Low resilience can lead to heightened anxiety and fear, making it difficult to manage these transitions. For instance, if you struggle with change, you may react negatively to a job reassignment or a sudden shift in a personal relationship. Building resilience makes you more adaptable to change.
If we have low resilience, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by stress. For example, you may feel incapable of coping with daily pressures, leading to burnout. Stress can affect both physical health and mental health, including increased anxiety and depression and resilience is a tool you can use to combat stress or not let it derail your day.
Resilience plays a key role in communication and relationship-building too and can affect self-esteem. When faced with obstacles, you may internalise failure, leading to feelings of inadequacy. This self-doubt can create a vicious cycle, making it even harder to tackle new challenges.
The Hidden Costs of Low Resilience
In a professional setting, low resilience can lead to missed deadlines, decreased efficiency, and lower quality of work. If you struggle to cope with stress, you might take more sick days, further impacting overall productivity. Taking your eye off the ball when it comes to resilience can lead to health issues like weakened immune systems, increased blood pressure, and a more significant risk of chronic diseases. Over time, low resilience can contribute to a range of serious health issues, including heart disease and mental health disorders.
Resilience allows for clearer thinking during challenging times. Those lacking resilience may struggle with decision-making, potentially leading to impulsive choices or excessive indecision.
The Benefits of Building Resilience
My mindset coaching session taught me the value of being resilient, and building it up made me better equipped to manage my emotions, allowing for a more positive outlook on life. I find that resilience provides tools to handle stress effectively, and I became more adept at recognising stressors and implementing coping strategies, leading to a healthier response. With greater emotional intelligence and communication skills, I now have the resilience to navigate conflicts and challenges, leading to stronger bonds with others. As resilience builds, so does self-esteem. Accomplishing goals and overcoming challenges fosters a sense of capability that has empowered me in all areas of life.
Simply put, resilience allows for easier adjustment to change. This adaptability ensures that life’s inevitable bumps in the road are seen as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable hurdles.
How Can I Build Resilience?
Work with a mindset coach: Your coach can help you build your resilience and prioritise it.
Setting Realistic Goals: Breaking down larger goals into manageable steps can reduce feelings of overwhelm.
Building a Support Network: Surround yourself with supportive and understanding people. Talk openly about challenges, allowing others to provide encouragement and perspective.
Physical Activity: Engage in regular physical activity to release pent-up stress and improve mood. Exercise has proven benefits for mental well-being and can help increase resilience by promoting a healthier mindset.
Promoting Positive Thinking: Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations. This shift in mindset can enhance resilience by fostering a more optimistic outlook.
Building resilience with a mindset coach isn’t about becoming immune to challenges; it’s about learning how to navigate them more effectively. By recognising the pain points and hidden costs associated with low resilience, we can better understand the importance of cultivating this essential skill.
Embracing resilience with the help of a mindset coach empowers us to face life’s obstacles with confidence, enhancing our emotional and physical well-being. So, let’s commit to developing our resilience because our journey towards a more fulfilling life starts with our mindset!
