Hi Visitor

E-Quipped to...Bounce Back With Resilience!

This newsletter refers to ’Resilience: The Bounce Back Factor!’, a comprehensive article found on my website.

The term ‘resilience’ was brought to our attention in the ‘70s and ‘80s when the first research findings on resilience were published in the health fields.

Recently, however, resilience has become a fashionable buzz word. It is often bandied about without any real thought to its impact or meaning. We are all supposed to be striving to be more resilient. But what exactly does this mean, what do we do with it and how do we get it?

What is Resilience?

A dictionary definition of resilience tells us that it is

• The ability to recover quickly from illness, change, or misfortune; buoyancy.
• The property of a material that enables it to resume its original shape or position after being bent, stretched, or compressed; elasticity.

Resilience is like a blow up ball – you can put pressure on it by squeezing it, but when you let go it quickly goes back to its original shape. It is able to bounce back.

When we use the term resilience to refer to a person, it is an individual’s capacity to withstand stress and catastrophe, which may result in the individual ‘bouncing back’ to a previous state of normal functioning, or simply not showing negative effects.

For more information read "Resilience: The Bounce Back Factor"

What are the Characteristics of a Resilient Individual? 

Research shows that resilient individuals think differently. They have a set of skills that allow them to persevere, manage stress and triumph in the face of challenge. A resilient individual…

• Focuses on positive aspects and opportunities
• Recovers quickly from a setback
• Pursues everything with energy and drive
• Knows when he/she needs help and asks for it

For further characteristics read the full article.

Becoming More Resilient

Nearly everyone has the capacity to be resilient and we can increase this capacity no matter what our age or personal history. While there are, of course, some situations and conditions which are so extreme that no one could flourish, there are ways to become more resilient.

Find positive meaning in your life despite difficult or traumatic events
Being realistically optimistic about your situation can give you hope. It may help to try looking beyond the present and consider whether the future may be a little better.

Seek help from others (tell others about your distress)
As mentioned above, the ability to seek and accept help from others actually strengthens resilience. Resilient individuals use all the resources they have at their disposal and this includes human resources.

Develop good problem-solving and communication skills
Developing your problem-solving and communication skills enhances resilience by enabling you to utilise all your resources which includes asking for help. Consider attending one of my talks or courses.

Accept circumstances that cannot be changed
Accepting circumstances that you cannot change frees you up to put your energy into the things you can control.

For many more tips on how to become resilient read ‘Resilience: The Bounce Back factor!’

Myths and facts About Resilience

Myth: Resilient people are immune to stress and negative emotions.

Fact: Resilient people experience just as much stress and negative emotion as anyone else, with just as much intensity. However, they also choose to experience positive emotions like gratitude, joy, kindness, love, and contentment in abundance. They are also able to find meaning and purpose for their lives, even in the face of loss and trauma.

Myth: Resilient people are independent, tough, and self-reliant; they don’t need much from other people.

Fact: The idea that someone should ‘stand on their own two feet and go it alone’ is a stereotype of western culture and a myth. Resilient people are resourceful, and friends and family are among their most important resources. Resilient people have strong social networks. They have close connections to family and friends and enjoy good relationships with colleagues. Resilient people are able to disclose their troubles to people close to them, and ask for help when they need it, without feeling bad or guilty.

For more myths and facts read ‘Resilience: The Bounce Back factor!’

What do YOU Think?

Share your wisdom with others…What helps you to be resilient?

Leave your comments here

What's Next...

Don't miss out on the following events!

Fine china, properly-made tea, dainty eats and stimulating conversation...

More about Tea With Claire

Click on the course title above for more information, prices and online bookings.

Click on the course title above for more information, prices and online bookings.

View all courses

About These Newsletters

You may have been forwarded this email by a friend. In that case, allow me to introduce myself. I am a psychologist, speaker, trainer, coach and hat lover based in Durban, South Africa.

My goal is to inspire you to make the changes necessary to live the life of your dreams! I believe that by developing your YOU-Q - the term I have created to describe your unique intelligence, creativity and wisdom - you can find your Inner winner and live a Be-YOU-tiful life right now.

On my website you'll find more ideas to get you thinking about life, love, work and other important STUFF.

Contact me for more information or visit the website:

+27 82 491 1136
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.clairenewton.co.za

Join the conversation

© 2013 Claire Newton | anti-spam statement | e-Marketing support by