The saying change is inevitable often gets passed around, but for many, change can be a terrifying concept, even when it’s positive. Many people often spend a lot of their time and energy avoiding change, and when change happens, it can be not easy to cope with, impacting our mental and even physical health as a result. Coping with change requires a lot of time and dedication to our mental health, and only through a better coping mechanism can we find the ability to adjust to change. But how do we do it? Through resilience.
The Concept of Resilience and Change
Resilience is the ability to adapt under the experience of change. As our world constantly shifts from one crisis to another, people all over also experience varying degrees of struggle that, when compounded, have become an overwhelming concept for many. When difficult times occur, whether it’s the death of a loved one, a divorce, unemployment, or a tragic accident, these moments can take hefty tolls on our mood and outlook on life. Due to the struggles, even positive changes seem ordinary, bland, and even daunting to those who have faced constant negative experiences.
For those who face and continue to face hardships, the concept of resilience can help you cope through these drastic moments of change and help you face uncertainty with peace of mind. Resilience is the process of building mental fortitude, working to maintain your sense of self to create more positive change. Resilience, when used properly, can be used to:
• Be engaged and malleable during moments of change
• Being brave when looking at new experiences or uncertainties
• Handle strong, negative emotions such as anger or sadness
• Cultivate your communication with others, especially under pressure
• Bring out certainty and self-esteem when problem-solving in various circumstances
Drastic changes in one’s life often build on resilience, and to get through tough moments requires a choice in how you think and feel about the world. Ultimately, resilience teaches people that they are not powerless in their circumstances, and they can change the way they feel in the moment, even if the circumstances stay the same.
Building Resilience During Times of Change
Resilience may be inherent in some, but for others, it takes practice. Therapy sessions through methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-cognitive behavioral therapy, and other thought processing techniques can help you become more adaptive to change and increase your tools for handling struggles. Therapy sessions focusing on resilience can help you:
• Practice Mindfulness and Thought Tracking: Mindfulness is the concept of being aware of one’s emotions and thoughts, and noticing these thoughts can help you control your emotional and behavioral response to change.
• Honing in Confidence Through Action: With gaining awareness, stressful situations can be tackled through problem-solving techniques.
• Finding and Establishing Self Worth: By taking both of these concepts together, resilience and self-worth can be improved.
To learn more about building up resilience, you can begin practicing these coping methods through sessions with your local therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist.
