Psychological resilience is the ability to mentally withstand or adapt to uncertainty and adversity. Building resilience to life’s inevitable changes and challenges can help you cope with and manage stressors. It can also help protect you from various adverse mental health symptoms. Health care professionals are noticing stress and anxiety developing at a rapid rate, and because May is Mental Health Awareness Month, now is a great time to check in on your feelings and thoughts.
Resilience isn’t developed overnight; it’s built over time and shaped by personal experiences. Just like building muscle, elevating your psychological resilience requires commitment. Consider the following strategies:
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle. For a holistic approach to maintaining physical wellness, you should prioritize sleep, eat healthily, stay hydrated and engage in physical activity regularly.
- Practice self-care. Get into the habit of caring for yourself and doing activities that make you happy. With the rise in mental health issues, it’s important to prioritize yourself now more than ever.
- Maintain an optimistic outlook. Adjusting your thought process and reframing any negative thoughts can be beneficial. Own your negative thoughts; they can lose their power when you say them out loud.
- Review your employee benefits. Your employer may offer mental well-being support and resources, so check what’s available in your health plan.
Make your psychological resilience a priority this month. A good way to start is by focusing on doing at least one thing every day for yourself that supports your overall well-being.
If you have any concerns, con- tact a health care professional or use the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline by calling 800-662-HELP (4357).
