“How to Build Resilience for Better Mental Health”

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“How to Build Resilience for Better Mental Health” practical tips on cultivating resilience for improved emotional regulation and stress management.


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With the advent of social media came a literal bombardment of negativity. For the first time in human history, we could be assaulted by horrific news stories, videos of violent crimes, and the meanest and most unforgiving comments to our posts. And if this instant assault on our mental well-being wasn’t bad enough, we can be exposed to it on a global scale.

All of this can overwhelm us and keep our fight or flight on constantly. This is not good. Not only is it not good to have your anxious response on all the time, its repercussions for society are huge. See if you’re anxious, you’re more likely to respond in anger. Whether it’s a post on Facebook, or a lengthy line at the grocery store, your patients are literally thinner.

In simple terms, anxiety dampens down our logic and reasoning ability – a region known as the prefrontal cortex. The area of the brain responsible for helping regulate reasoning and impulse control.

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So, if we live in a world that whittles down our wellness, what can we do to fight back? Thankfully, the answer is many things. In my post, 5 ways to maximize your mental health, I discuss some keyways to help ease the anxiety. Not only anxiety, but also many mental health disorders.

Now that we know we have coping strategies to help us, we need one more piece. What is this last piece you ask? Resilience. While it may be difficult to achieve without direction, resilience building can be done, and you can thrive in a world bent on negativity.

Understanding Resilience

Definition of Resilience

Resilience refers to the ability to cope with and adapt to difficult situations or setbacks. It’s the psychological strength that allows us to recover from adversities and move forward, learning from our experiences.

Importance of Resilience -“How to Build Resilience for Better Mental Health”

Resilience is essential for maintaining mental health and well-being. It helps us navigate life’s ups and downs, manage stress, and bounce back from challenges. Resilient individuals are more likely to maintain a positive outlook, handle difficult emotions, and develop effective coping strategies. All these factors contribute to better mental health and overall life satisfaction.

Building Resilience: Key Strategies

There are several strategies that can help you build resilience and improve your mental health. Let’s explore some of the most effective ones:

"How to Build Resilience for Better Mental Health" a silhouette of a woman out on a rock that is in the ocean with her arms stretched out so as to be victorious
“How to Build Resilience for Better Mental Health”

Developing a Strong Support Network

Having a strong support network is crucial for building resilience. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people who genuinely care about you. Reach out to friends, family, or colleagues when you need help or encouragement. Join clubs, organizations, or support groups to connect with others who share your interests and values.

Embracing Change

Change is inevitable, and learning to accept and adapt to it is essential for resilience. Instead of resisting change, view it as an opportunity for growth and development. Embrace the unknown and learn from new experiences.

Self Care Practices

Be kind to yourself, especially during tough times. Recognize that setbacks are a natural part of life and that you deserve care and understanding. Treat yourself with the same compassion and empathy you would extend to a friend in need.

Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving is a crucial aspect of resilience. Develop your problem-solving skills by breaking down challenges into smaller, manageable steps. Brainstorm possible solutions and evaluate their pros and cons before making a decision.

Setting Realistic Goals

Setting achievable and realistic goals can help build resilience. Break down your goals into smaller, manageable tasks, and celebrate your progress along the way. Remember, setbacks are natural – use them as learning opportunities and adjust your goals as needed.

Cultivating Optimism

A positive outlook is essential for resilience. Practice optimism by focusing on the good aspects of your life and seeking opportunities for growth and improvement. Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive, constructive ones.

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Developing Emotional Intelligence

Enjoy Reading “How to Build Resilience for Better Mental Health?” Read Self-love – it matters for more reasons than you think

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our emotions and the emotions of others. Developing emotional intelligence is crucial for resilience building, as it helps us navigate our feelings and respond appropriately to challenging situations.

Growth Mindset

Adopting a growth mindset is essential for resilience building. By viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and development, we can maintain a positive outlook and adapt more easily to change. Embrace the unknown and learn from new experiences, rather than resisting them.

Psychological Flexibility

Psychological flexibility is the ability to adapt our thoughts and behaviors to different situations. By developing psychological flexibility, we can better cope with change, handle difficult emotions, and maintain a sense of balance and control in our lives.

Seek out therapy to help build resilience

Therapy can be a powerful tool in building resilience, especially during difficult times. A therapist can help you develop coping strategies, manage stress, and build emotional strength to overcome challenges. In therapy, you can also work through past traumas, which can often hinder your ability to bounce back from adversity. A therapist can help you identify negative thought patterns and beliefs that may be holding you back and teach you how to reframe them in a more positive light. Seeking therapy is not a sign of weakness; it takes strength and courage to recognize when you need help and take steps to improve your mental and emotional wellbeing. By investing in therapy, you are investing in your ability to navigate life’s ups and downs with greater resilience and grace.

Need help? Go to Our Mental Health Resources Centre

Learn to Manage and Thrive

  • His lifelong battle with depression
  •  The benefits of exercise
  • How to start to overcome the dread and exhaustion of depression
  • How small steps make huge differences
  • Scientifically backed techniques to help minimize depression, anxiety, and PTSD’s effects
  • How to set boundaries with yourself when you have a mental health condition·
  • How to optimize living your life with these debilitating mental illnesses.
Front and back cover of the road to mental wellness - 8 sings your relationship is hurting your mental health.
Want to get the complete Audiobook version Free! Go to our Homepage and use the Scriber form to receive our newsletter. Boom the book is yours.

At the end of the day what you and I and those all over the world need is to build our resilience in order to thrive in a well-connected world. In my view, resilience building is key to our happiness. Cheers and may you achieve happiness and sustained mental wellness.

Learn to Manage and Thrive

  • His lifelong battle with depression
  •  The benefits of exercise
  • How to start to overcome the dread and exhaustion of depression
  • How small steps make huge differences
  • Scientifically backed techniques to help minimize depression, anxiety, and PTSD’s effects
  • How to set boundaries with yourself when you have a mental health condition·
  • How to optimize living your life with these debilitating mental illnesses.
Front and back cover of the road to mental wellness - 8 sings your relationship is hurting your mental health.
Want to get the complete Audiobook version Free! Go to our Homepage and use the Scriber form to receive our newsletter. Boom the book is yours.

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“How to Build Resilience for Better Mental Health” copyright 2023

Jonathan Arenburg

Jonathan Reginald-Nixon Arenburg (Born January 14, 1976) is a Canadian mental health blogger, speaker, and published author. Retired from the fire service and long-term care fields, he has written and self-published an autobiographical account of his life-long battle with anxiety, depression and more recently, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Titled, The Road To Mental Wellness, he wrote it for what he calls “therapeutic release.” He published it in hopes it would help others going through similar mental health conditions. The sales of The Road To Mental Wellness have been steady selling over 300 copies since its release on October 10, 2021(World Mental Health Day). Arenburg has also been involved in a collaborative publication Called Lemonade Stand Volume III, a book featuring 20 authors who bravely tell their stories of PTSD. All authors where from the military and or emergency services. Published by Joshua Rivedal and Kathleen Myers for the i’Mpossible project, a mental health advocacy organization. Jonathan has also appeared on several mental health podcasts including The Depression Files, A New Dawn, and The Above Ground Podcast Arenburg has also consulted with the Government of Nova Scotia and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, the Honorable Brian Comer and Candidates for the New Democratic Party of Canada, on improving the mental health care system in Canada. Additionally, Jonathan was recognized in The Nova Scotia Legislature by the Honorable, Chris Palmer, Kings-North MLA, for his Book, The Road To Mental Wellness, his fight to make the mental health care system better. In addition, Chis acknowledged the support he gives to others.

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