"Resilience can be defined as a reduced vulnerability to environmental risk experiences, the ability to overcome stress or adversity, or achieving relatively good outcomes despite risk experiences".

Resilience is the ability to adapt to difficult situations. When we face difficulties such as stress, trauma, or pain and still manage to function and stay strong emotionally, physically, and mentally, we are building our resilience. We often tend to shut down, hit a wall, and feel lost and distant. But what if I told you that you have the ability to overcome anything that is presented to you? It is already within you, and you just need to unlock it. Whatever we are facing, you have the foundation of resilience to fight through.

Resilience doesn't mean isolating ourselves, tolerating everything, or figuring it out on our own. We tend to forget that WE DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THINGS ALONE. It is okay to ask for support, to seek help, and to have someone listen to us. Resilience is finding the ability to do just that—seek support and ask for help. If you'd like to become more resilient, consider these tips:

Get connected: Build positive and supportive relationships with loved ones and friends who can provide guidance and acceptance during challenging times.

Make every day meaningful: Do something that brings you purpose. Set achievable goals that will help you move towards the future you desire.

Learn from experience: This is a big one. Reflect on how you coped with hardships. Use those skills to strategize how they can help you during difficult times today. Whether you keep it to yourself or share it with others, what worked previously can work for you in the present. That is how you overcome; that is your coping mechanism. Instead of staying stuck in a 'woe is me' mentality, become unstuck with what you've experienced. Use it to grow, heal, and move on. Keep a journal to help identify positive and negative behavior patterns. You don't need to stay in negative patterns or beat yourself up. Rise above and build yourself up from your hardships, and don't let them define you.

Remain hopeful: As we all know, we cannot change the past. We are not Marty McFly and cannot go back in time. But what we do know is that we can accept the past, what was done and what wasn't done, and move towards the future. Changing the way we view and accept change will make it easier to face any challenges.

Take care of yourself: Take care of yourself. Tend to your needs and feelings, listen to your body, and create healthy habits that will support you. Be kind to yourself. Love yourself.

Be proactive: Take action! Only you know how to work through and figure out any problems, setbacks, and difficult situations. Determine what needs to be done and create an action plan to work towards it. Don't ignore your situation; it can improve if you work at it. While some instances may take time to recover, this is where your resilience comes in. If you are doing the work, you will be more pliable to bounce back. We need to put in the work to see results.

Reflect

Reframe

Reach out:

"Putting all three into practice will help you weather any storm in your life and provide self-awareness."