What is Resilience?

Resilience

Resilience is a psychological quality that enables some people to be knocked down by life's adversities and bounce back stronger than before. Resilient people do not let difficulties,  traumatic events, or failure overcome them.  Highly resilient people find a way to change course, emotionally heal, and continue moving toward their goals.

How is Resilience Created?

Studies by psychologists have identified several factors that appear to make a person more resilient, including a positive attitude, optimism, the ability to regulate emotions, and viewing failure as a form of helpful feedback.

Optimism has blunted the impact of stress on the mind and body during times of distress.  In such moments, people utilize their thinking skills, enabling a cool-headed analysis of what might have gone wrong and consideration of other more productive behaviors. Different aspects of resilience’s roots are still under research.  Genetic predisposition, as well as early environments and life circumstances, play a role in determining how resilient genes are ultimately expressed.

Build skills to endure hardship

When something goes wrong, can you bounce back, or do you fall apart?

Highly resilient people utilize their inner strength to rebound from setbacks or challenges, such as job loss, illness, or the death of a loved one. People who struggle with resilience may find it difficult to move past challenges or feel overwhelmed by their circumstances. They might turn to unhealthy ways to cope, such as drug or alcohol use, eating disorders, or risky behaviours.

Resilience won't make existing problems disappear, but resilience can help one to see past them, find ways to enjoy life, and better handle stress.  Skills can be learnt to make you more resilient!

Written by: Tan Poh Ching

02/2025

References

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.-a). Meet our medical editors. https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-this-site/meet-our-medical-editors

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.-b). Resilience: Build skills to endure hardship. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/resilience-training/in-depth/resilience/art-20046311

Psychology Today. (n.d.-a). Editorial process. https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/docs/editorial-process

Psychology Today. (n.d.-b). Resilience. https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/resilience