Resilience is one of the most important abilities in life. This is the capacity that human beings have to overcome circumstances of adversity in their existence. For example, mourning the death of a loved one, an unexpected job layoff, heartbreak, a period of loneliness or suffering. Despite the pain experienced, the person is reborn again to joy through an ability to reinvent oneself by giving a constructive meaning to reality from the vision of learning.
In this article in PsychologyFor we address this question: “Resilient people: examples and characteristics “Every human being has this quality since, furthermore, no one knows how they will react to a given situation until they experience it in practice.
Below, we describe the main points that are part of resilience:
1. Social network of friends and family
Resilient people they don’t close in on themselves. They are autonomous, however, they do not make this proactive attitude an individualistic self-sufficiency but rather they nourish their lives with emotional ties of collaboration and affection. That does not mean that one person is more resilient than another because they have more people around them. What is truly definitive is the quality of the bond and the constructive influence of that environment on the protagonist.
2. A creative inner world
When external reality shows its less friendly side, the protagonist can not only attend to the reading of the facts but can also take refuge in that universe that he cultivates through self-knowledge, art, reading, positive thinking, emotions and life felt through one’s own point of view. That is, they are people who do not stay on the surface of things but rather they reach the depth of being.
3. Adaptation to change
When reality changes, even when this alteration of external factors has occurred against the will, the protagonist positions himself before a map of reality that involves him in an experiential way. The resilient people They carry out this process of change with the support of that social network described above.
4. Emotional intelligence
In situations of adversity, contradictory sensations can occur, just as there is room for feelings linked to sadness. A resilient person does not cover up this emotional reality but rather integrates it into their life, giving space to listen to that information that has a message to express. Therefore, we can affirm that emotional intelligence It is a characteristic of the most resilient people.
5. They look to the future
It is impossible to make vital changes by focusing on yesterday since the past is already written. Resilient people look to tomorrow with hope and focus on the present. For example, new goals are set to reach.
6. They waste little time complaining
Complaints are very human, however, a resilient person is the protagonist of their destiny, even when experiencing a period of pain. Therefore, it does not wear out chronically through mental rumination and constant complaining.
7. Sense of humor
The laughter and smile They are medicinal elements that reinforce strength in overcoming a sad event. When a person experiences a moment of maximum pain, the space for humor is less than that which occurs in joy. However, this ingredient is present even in small doses.
8. Gratitude
Even in pain, the resilient person is aware that they have reasons to give thanks to life. For example, for the comforting hug of that friend, for the company of the closest people or for the happiness experienced so far.
9. They ask for help when they need it
They do not wait for others to guess their thoughts but rather take care of themselves by asking for help on their own initiative through clear messages to others.
10. Empathy
They are persons with sensitivity and empathy not only towards others, but also towards themselves.
5 examples of resilience
Resilience is a very human capacity, you just have to remember some difficult moments that you have overcome in your life to realize your capacity for transformation.
Unrequited love. This is one of the situations that on a sentimental level forces the protagonist to overcome this rupture of expectations through a duel necessary to forget that person.
Victor Frankl, author of the book “Man’s Search for Meaning” and founder of Logotherapy, is a clear example of resilience through his testimony about life in a concentration camp.
Overcoming the illness or death of a loved one. Health, despite the fact that at many times we do not consciously value it, is one of the most important pillars of well-being. Therefore, those health obstacles represent a fundamental test of resilience.
Overcoming a change process. For example, a divorce that breaks the predictable routine visualized until that moment.
A job dismissal at age 50, a moment in which the age factor acquires a limiting meaning in some market niches.
How to be a resilient person? 5 tips
Now that you know the characteristics of resilient people and we have shown you some tips, it is time to help you be a resilient person. Resilience can be cultivated and trained in the practice of life:
Invest in your emotional training through taking personal growth courses, reading psychology books and attending specialized seminars.
Take care of the face-to-face factor of your relationships with friends so that contact through new technologies do not replace the power of a hug, For example. At the same time, take advantage of the full potential of technology to be close to those who are far away and to be closer to those who live in your immediate environment.
Music, art, cinema, literature and sport are ingredients that nourish your life, increasing beauty as an existential concept.
Model the example of those resilient people you observe in your immediate environment.
Carry out a mentoring process counting on the help of a mentor who advises you with his advice and reflections on resilience.
This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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