Why Do We Need Resilience?

What is Resilience?

Resilience is the ability to adapt well in the face of adversity. It refers to the difficult or challenging experiences we encounter throughout life, ranging from family and relationship problems to workplace and financial stressors (American Psychological Association, 2020). It acts as a buffer that helps us recover, learn, and grow despite hardship.

Why do we need Resilience?

When adversity is strong, frequent, and prolonged, and we lack the support of resilience, our bodies and minds can develop a toxic stress response. Over time, this response can increase the lifelong risk of physical and mental health disorders (Nelson et al., 2020). 

Developing resilience means learning how to face and move through challenges, instead of avoiding them. Each experience of overcoming hardship strengthens us, helping us build new skills, foster personal growth, and develop a stronger sense of self. By viewing setbacks as opportunities for learning, maintaining a positive and determined mindset, and relying on supportive relationships, we can cultivate the resilience needed to handle future obstacles.

Resilience is also important beyond the personal level. It plays a vital role in how communities and societies respond to large-scale adversity. Strengthening resilience allows us to respond effectively to natural and technological disasters, pandemics, terrorism, and political conflict. It also helps reduce the long-term health and development effects caused by adverse childhood experiences (Hamby et al., 2024).

Written by: Zariel Heng

11/2025

References

Building your resilience. (2020, February 1). American Psychological Association.

https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience/builiding-your-resilience

Hamby, S. H., Guerra, C. G., Toro, E. T., & Pinto-Cortez, C. P. (2024). Advancing the science of

adverse childhood experiences and resilience: A case for global and ecological perspectives. ScienceDirect. https://doi,org/10.1016/j.chipro.2024.100060

Nelson, Ca. A., Harris, N. B., Danese, A., & Samara, M. (2020). Adversity in childhood is linked to

mental and physical health throughout life. BMJ, 271, m3048.

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m3048