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Have you ever noticed how some people seem to have an undying sense of confidence that “everything will work out”? They bounce back quickly after setbacks, and are skilled at problem solving even under pressure? These people are resilient, and resilience is a skill that ANYONE can learn.
Resilience is a key factor in managing stress. Being in a state of high stress leads to: impaired creativity and organization, diminished self-regulation (will power), depressed immune system, decreased empathy, and overall lower functioning of the prefrontal cortex (the decision-making, planning, and impulse-control part of the brain) – some even say this part of the brain completely checks out when stress is high enough.
For a person with high resilience, when stress comes their way, they are better able to develop and carry out realistic plans, communicate and problem solve, manage strong feelings and impulses, and tap into a social support network. Most importantly, resilient people are better equipped to minimize risk factors and boost protective factors to prevent stress and fear from hijacking their brains.
So, how do you become resilient?