Learn about emotional resilience, what it is, why you need it, and how to build it with this informational piece from the pros at Triumph Behavioral Health.
What Is Emotional Resilience?
You may have heard the term “emotional resilience” before – but what does it really mean? In short, people who possess emotional resilience are able to bounce back from challenging times faster. They may have fewer negative emotions or have those emotions last for a shorter period of time when they do experience them. Often, people who are more emotionally resilient are better equipped to handle the stressors and difficulties that arise throughout life and describe themselves as feeling more mentally well.
Emotional resilience is not built in a vacuum, however, and it is something that can be developed. Building emotional resilience begins with developing a toolbox of coping strategies, which will become habits with practice over a period of time. It can also involve understanding how to draw from resources in your community, such as local wellness centers or behavioral health providers.
It is also worth noting that having emotional resilience does not mean you have to go through challenging times alone. Facing problems on your own is not a show of strength, as some people believe. In fact, it can be far braver to know when you need help and act on it – and engaging in interpersonal support techniques is a key component of emotional resilience.
How to Build Emotional Resilience
It’s clear that emotional resilience comes with many benefits – so how can you build emotional resilience in your own life? Here are a few tips to fill your toolbox with expert coping strategies so that you can bounce back from negative emotions more effectively…
#1: Take Time for Yourself Each Day
“Self care” has become a buzzword in modern culture, but ultimately, taking time for yourself is an important piece of building emotional resilience and supporting your overall wellbeing. Even if it is just 15 minutes, take some time to do something you love. Maybe you enjoy starting your day with a quiet cup of coffee. Maybe you read a chapter in a book before bed. Whatever it is, cultivating personal time for your own pursuits is an important piece of overall wellness.
#2: Develop Healthy Habits
Your physical habits impact your mental health more than many people realize. Factors like your diet, exercise routines, and sleep patterns make a big difference in producing those brain-boosting chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. And in this vein, small choices go a long way. Incorporating some exercise into your everyday life can be as simple as taking a walk around your neighborhood. Healthy habits do not have to be all or nothing – every little choice is a step in the right direction.
#3: Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is a part of the overall practice of mindfulness, which has been shown to have a profound effect on mental health and emotional resilience. Living your life in the present, with a focus on what is going on both around you and inside your mind helps many people feel more centered and focused on what is important. Practicing gratitude introduces more positivity into the mix. One common strategy is starting the day by journaling and listing three things you are grateful for. Even small things do the trick to adjust your mindset!
#4: Look at Problems From a New Angle
A fresh perspective can do wonders for your emotional resilience and holistic wellness. Instead of getting frustrated in challenging situations, consider problems as opportunities for growing and learning from your mistakes. Trying to see the positive side of things might feel inauthentic at first, but it does make a difference as you build this habit over time. Research from the National Institute of Health shows that a positive outlook boosts physical and mental well being.
#5: Find Meaning and Purpose
Understanding the values by which you want to live your life can help you feel that you are getting the most fulfillment possible. Engaging in an activity like a value sort can help you delineate the principles you hold in high esteem in work, relationships, and other commitments. When you have a strong understanding of your values, you can more easily respond to challenging situations with integrity and purpose.
One way to better understand your meaning and purpose is to reflect on what is most important to you is through a Value Sort activity, in which you will categorize a number of principles according to how important they are to you. This activity can also be done with a behavioral health professional, who can help you reflect on the meaning of your values and how to live into these beliefs on a regular basis. Those who understand and live by their values are better equipped to build emotional resilience.
#6: Tap Into Connections and Community
Building a community of positive, supportive people can make emotional resilience much easier to come by. But being part of a community alone is not enough – you need to be unafraid to ask for help. When you are surrounded by people whom you trust and whom you know have your best interests at heart, you will never be facing a problem alone.
Behavioral health professionals like our team here at Triumph Behavioral Health can also be a part of that community. Emotional resilience is something you can cultivate internally, but it is best practiced when you have a network of supportive and caring individuals around you. Focus on building up relationships with these people and being there for others when they need it, too.
Build Your Emotional Resilience Toolbox With Triumph Behavioral Health
At Triumph Behavioral Health, we are here to help you take your mental health journey to the next level with our holistic mental health services. As a Maryland wellness center, we serve the Linthicum Heights, Catonsville, Towson, Baltimore County, and Arbutus areas. At Triumph, we care. Wondering if we accept your insurance? Check out our insurance information page right here to get the full scoop.
Get in touch with our team today to schedule your first appointment.