This time of year, we often hear phrases like New Year, New You. But what does that really mean? How can resilience skills help make the New Year better than the last?
What Does Resilience Mean?
- Resilience is the ability to adapt to difficult situations. In more formal terms, it’s the ability to withstand, recover, and grow in the face of stressors and changing demands.
- When you experience stress, adversity, or trauma, resilience enables you to cope with it, to not be disabled by it, and to move forward.
What Makes a Person Resilient?
Things that contribute to resilient behavior:
- personality traits
- environmental factors
- social support
People who demonstrate resilience skills focus on being aware, using effective problem-solving skills, and having a strong social support network.
- Remaining aware of situations, emotional reactions, and the behavior of those around us, allows us to maintain control of a situation and think of new ways to tackle problems.
- Problem-solving skills help us confront situations or stressors.
- Building strong, positive social support. Social relationships with loved ones and friends provide us with needed support, guidance, and acceptance in both good and bad times.
- Establishing other connections through volunteering or spiritual communities can help enrich your social network. Ask for support from people who care about you.
How Can I Learn Resiliency Skills?
If you're currently going through a stressful time or want to build your resiliency skills, know that:
- Resiliency skills can be learned through finding purpose, developing a social network, embracing change, believing in yourself and something greater than yourself, and applying optimism.
- Becoming more resilient takes time and practice.
- There are resources available to increase success.
If you don't feel you're making progress — or don't know where to start — consider reaching out to your installation’s Marine Corps Family Team Building or Community Counseling Program.
Resiliency skills won't make your problems go away, but these skills can give you the ability to see past them, find enjoyment in life, better handle stress, and improve your mental well-being.