The Resilience Myth; Ways to Boost Resilience

The Resilience Myth; Ways to Boost Resilience
Tracy RyksPresidenteMarketingMedia
What is Psychological Resilience?
It is an individuals ability to properly adapt to stress and adversityOrThe ability to “bounce back” after experiencing life’s challenges
The Resilience Myth
A common belief in our society is that some people have an innate higher capacity to withstand more stress than othersBut this is a misconception. . .
Research Has Shown
Resilience comes as a result of learning coping skills through experiences and the ability to anticipate and except change.Resilience is actually ordinary, not extraordinary—people commonly demonstrate resilience and it can be learned
Resilience Does Not Mean
You won’t experience difficulty or distress during life’s challenges or adversityYou won’t experience emotional pain, negative thoughts, or sadness, when working through the crisisYou won’t need guidance from professionals to develop resilience or thrive through a crisisBeing stoic—we can be vulnerable and still be resilient
Bottom Line
You can boost resilience through learning and becoming aware of life skillsA combination of factors contributes to resilienceYou can learn them at any age!
Traits of Resilient People
“Life’s not about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” –Vivian GreeneResilient people have learned how to counter negative thoughts or emotions with a positive outlook,thoughts or attitudes.They have learned to process emotions and face challenges without avoiding emotional pain.
Boost Resilience By
Accepting changeKeeping problems in perspective; Believe you can overcome (mastery)Facing challenges directly; Don’t avoid them, but take an emotional break to recharge when overwhelmedMaintain hope for the futureBuild strong social network & reach out to experts who can bring new perspective

Accepting Change
“The only thing that is constant is change” -HeraclitusIn the past it was widely accepted that the brain remained static after a certain developmental period and did not change in adulthood until research challenged the theory in the later part of the 20thcentury.It was believed the brain would not change or heal after trauma such as traumatic brain injury or after a strokeUntil research proved the brain had the capacity to changethrough the scienceofNeuroplasticityThebrain’s capacity for change

Why Does This Matter For Resiliency?
“Neuroplasticity is the science of the brain’s natural ability to physically alter itself. It is the science ofthoughts, emotions, learning and motivation and how these seemingly innocuous activities actually affect the brain’s structure. The truth is your brain is continuously adapting to external circumstances, making new decisions and accommodating all of life’s challenges.”--The St. Jude Home ProgramWe are hard-wired for the ability to adapt to changeIf are not accustomed to accepting change; learning to adapt to change is a process; But knowing our brains can change builds personal confidence in knowing you have the ability to copeWe can choose to be a pessimist or an optimist- changing from one to another is possible.

Why do some people grow stronger after a life challenge while others developpsychologicaldisorders?
Recent research by HeatherRuschof the National Institutes of Health revealed if a person possesses two life skills—masteryandsocial supportit distinguishes how well people face adversity and recover.

The Mastery Connection
Mastery refers to the degree in which individuals perceive themselves as having control and influence over life circumstances—the expectation of favorable outcomes—the feeling of being in personal control and not feeling powerlessUnshakable Optimism or Belief in a Positive Outcome

Why is Maturity Important?
Being “mature” helps develop resiliencyWebster’s defines Maturity as“The quality of state of being mature, especially; full development.”“If the only constant in life is change, then whether a person can adapt and become an active participant in a constantly changing world is key to “full development or maturity.”--St. Jude’s Home Program

Fully Mature Adults
Are responsible for his/her actions and of taking care of those around them (children, elderly parents, vulnerable adults, etc.)They are participants in life, not spectatorsThey create their present circumstances and must react to unexpected situations (often difficult ones)Non-mature adults see themselves as powerless to circumstances and tend to avoid the life’s natural flow of challenges because they view them as too tough to handle or cope with.When an adult uses childhood coping strategies such as tantrums, pleasure seeking or comfort seeking, it is often because they are avoiding needed change.

Positive Social Support
Accept people for where they are in lifePeople process and recover from crisis at different rates—don’t expect someone to “snap out of it”– allow them to process and feel in their own time.Developing resilience is a personal journey—people react differently about traumatic and stressful life events– it doesn’t mean they are immatureBuild a positive support network of those that will listen and help you to move forward—avoid getting stuck in a rut—seek professional guidance if you are feeling stuck, trapped or overwhelmed by a life’s burdenChoose a social network of positive people

Faith, Hope & Laughter
Nurture a positive view of yourself, and don’t take yourself so seriously!Have faith and believe in a positive futureMaintain the belief that good is waiting through the stormBe hopeful. Hope is a choice. Understand the feelings and emotions that arise through the process will be positive or negative. But they are not the destination; they are simply emotions. Allow yourself to feel when able; take baby steps to help you cope.Rely on Resources. Whether your resources are family, friends or industry professional; accept help and enjoy building your support network.Remember, sometimes laughter is the best medicine.

Learning From Your Past
What kinds of events have been most stressful for me?How have those events typically affected me?What have I learned about myself and my interactions with others during difficult times?Has it been helpful for me to assist someone else going through a similar experience?What obstacles have I overcome?