DEVELOPING RESILIENCE
Resilience is our ability to withstand stress, adapt and bounce back in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy or change, when life doesn’t go as planned. Resilient people don’t dwell on failures, but they learn from their mistakes and experiences and make efforts to move forward.
The 2020-21 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHW) found that 15 per cent of Australians aged 16-85 experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress. In New Zealand, a 2021 General Social Survey confirmed that 28 per cent of the population experienced poor mental wellbeing.
Mindi Kelly, Counsellor and Holistic Health Coach and founder of Inclusive Counselling, says that resilience is an approach to life, it’s about adapting in the face of adversity – ‘bending’ with life’s demands, but not breaking. “When confronted with significant life changes, learn to adjust your sense of urgency and reassess wants and needs, as this can be helpful for getting clear on what actually matters to you,” says Kelly. “Further, understand that resilience can’t live beside self-limiting beliefs. Move through emotions and reflect on what might be holding you back. If it’s negative self-talk for example, use the positive power of the mind to shift that pattern,” she adds.
“Equally, acceptance and action are key. Be active in your process and get uncomfortable. Comfort zones won’t serve your growth. Developing resilience is about combing your mindset and determined spirit, with action towards growth.”
Another important factor to increase resilience is self-advocacy, as it allows us to make choices in life that are empowering and meet our needs and values.
A 2020 University of NSW study that explored the impact of self-advocacy on the wellbeing of people with intellectual disability found that it allowed them to develop better mental health by improving their self-esteem and confidence.
It empowered them to have greater control and choices, and it allowed them to make positive lifestyle changes that improved physical health and supported them to access healthcare.