By becoming more resilient, one can survive adversities and learn to thrive in them by being more empowered, adaptable, and self-reliant, and even improve one's life along the way.

Our lives often do not come with a map. Yet, each of us experiences its twists and turns due to everyday challenges from life's traumatic situations that leave a lasting impact, such as losing a loved one, a life-threatening accident, serious illness, and unexpected life transitions. Each of these instances affects people differently; however, thanks to resilience, some individuals adapt to them well over time. Resilience is a unique human quality that enables individuals to bounce back from adversity, trauma, or any life-challenging experience. Resilience is a human characteristic that can be nurtured and developed over time, and its role in our mental well-being cannot be discounted. If people can be taught how to build their resilience, they will be better equipped to deal with traumatic events in the future. With such training, mental health practitioners can engage in prevention, thus shifting the focus from curative action to counselling.

The Resilience Muscle

Resilience is also called a mental muscle. Everyone has muscles, and some have them more substantial than others. Like resilience, it gets stronger the more we put it to use. Resilience exists on a spectrum. Some individuals seem naturally resilient, while for others, it might look like a huge struggle to cope with even minor setbacks in life. Resilience is determined by various factors, including genetics, upbringing, life experiences, and social support, apart from sociocultural contexts. It can take time and intentionality to build the resilience muscle, which also means it can be worked upon and improved, regardless of anyone's starting point.

The Importance Of Resilience

Resilience is indicative of profound personal growth for individuals manoeuvring difficult life situations. Resilience is crucial for mental, emotional, and physical well-being.Prof. Ketoki Mazumdar, Assistant Professor - of Psychology at FLAME University,shares the key to surviving and thriving in life's challenges.

Resilience Helps In:

Adaptability: Resilient individuals can adapt to change and have a shorter recovery time from setbacks. This is pertinent in an ever-changing world, as it helps individuals navigate the twists and turns of life more effectively.

Mental Health: Research has proven how resilience is tied intrinsically to mental health. It equips people to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and other severe life-threatening situations. Resilient people are more likely to reach for resources and seek help when needed.

Emotional Stability: Resilient people can better manage their emotions and respond effectively during challenging situations.

Improved Interpersonal Relationships: Resilient individuals are better at resolving conflicts and maintaining interpersonal relationships.

Conclusion

Resilience is an essential human feature that empowers individuals to confront and cope with life's challenges. Its benefits cannot be overlooked significantly when they mutually benefit our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. By becoming more resilient, one can survive adversities and learn to thrive in them by being more empowered, adaptable, and self-reliant, and even improve one's life along the way.

This article has been authored by Prof. Ketoki Mazumdar, Faculty of Psychology, FLAME University.