Let's talk about how to face any problem in life with resilience!

Life is not always a beautiful thing, is it? Sometimes we face problems, challenges, and setbacks that we never even dreamed of. Think about it, maybe you lost the job you had been doing well. Or you could be hurt by someone you trusted a lot. Maybe you could get sick and suffer from an unimaginable illness and end your life. At times like these, some people fall quickly and are under a lot of mental pressure. But others emerge stronger from those difficult times, learn a new lesson, and get back up again. That strength, that unwavering mental courage is what we call resilience , or in English, 'Resilience' . Today, in this article, we will talk about 'Resilience Training', which trains our minds to face any storm that comes in life.

Simply put, what is 'Resilience Training'?

Think of 'Resilience Training' as a kind of 'exercise' for our minds. Just like we go to the gym to build muscle and strengthen our bodies, this is a series of training programs that strengthen our minds and teach us how to cope with stress and the toughest moments in life.

It's like a rubber ball. When we hit a rubber ball on the ground, it bounces back up. But when a glass falls on the ground, it shatters and breaks. 'Resilience' is the ability to bounce back like that rubber ball. What this training does is teach our minds to bounce back like a rubber ball when the problems of life hit the ground, not to break like glass.

This training is not only used to help relief workers cope with the hardships they face during a major disaster like a tsunami. It is also used to help someone suffering from a serious illness cope with the challenges they face. But this is not limited to major disasters. Even in the small setbacks that occur in our daily lives, this training can help us to recover and get back to work .

Who is this training most important to?

Actually, anyone can participate in this training. Because life's problems are common to everyone. However, it is especially useful for the following groups:

• First aid and emergency service providers: For example, ambulance workers, firefighters.
• Disaster relief workers: People who work during disasters such as floods and landslides.
• Officers serving in the armed forces and the police.
• Healthcare workers: Doctors, nurses, and those who care for patients. Think about the stress that a doctor or nurse working in a government hospital in our country faces in a day. This kind of training is very valuable for them.
• People with chronic conditions: For example, this can help someone living with a long-term illness such as diabetes, kidney disease, or cancer to manage the stress that comes with it.
• Anyone who is frequently under stress or has experienced a major setback in life.

How do you know if your mental resilience is low?

If you've recently experienced a stressful event, you may also experience the following symptoms. If any of these symptoms persist for more than two weeks or increase day by day , it could be a sign that your emotional resilience is a little low.

If you continue to have these symptoms, please do not ignore them and talk to your family doctor (Primary Care Physician) or a mental health counselor .

What really happens during 'Resilience Training'?

Most of the time, this training takes place through face-to-face discussions with a mental health professional . Sometimes, these services can also be accessed virtually.

These trainings usually take place once a week for an hour or an hour and a half, over a period of several weeks or months. They teach you various methods and techniques that will help you face life's challenges. The training is primarily designed to help you prepare for a problem before it arises. However, you can receive this training either during the middle of a problem or after it has ended.

What is taught in this training?

In this training, you will be taught about various psychological therapies and techniques.

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This teaches us to understand the connection between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It teaches us how to identify and change negative thought patterns.
• Emotional Regulation Training: Practice controlling strong emotions like anger and sadness and not being overwhelmed by them.
• Mindfulness Training: This teaches you to live in the present moment and not worry about unnecessary things.
• Psychological Education: Provides knowledge about what stress is and how it affects our bodies.
• Relaxation Practice: Practice calming your mind through simple techniques like deep breathing.
• Self-compassion and Gratitude: Practicing being kind to yourself and being happy with what you have.

How can you incorporate these things into your life? - Practical examples

Imagine that you are facing a major challenge in your life. Maybe it is a problem at work, a family problem, or a financial hardship. Here is how you can put the quality of 'resilience' into practice.

1. Before facing a challenge...

• Find out as much information as possible: Find out as much information as possible about the problem before you face it. This can help you eliminate unnecessary fear.
• Stay connected with your friends: Don't be alone when a problem arises. Talk to your best friends and family regularly. They will be a great source of strength for you.
• Make a plan: Make a plan for the things you need to do. If there are things that are difficult for you to do alone, get someone to help you do them.

2. When you're in the middle of a challenge...

• Think about yourself: It's not selfish to think about yourself while thinking about others. Don't forget to eat a good nutritious meal on time and take some rest.
• Ask for help: Don't be afraid to say, "I can't do this alone, I need help." It's a sign of strength.
• Practice calming techniques: When you feel overwhelmed, take a few minutes to close your eyes and take five deep breaths. This will help you feel a great sense of relief.

3. After the challenge is over...

• Talk to a mental health counselor : If you are still struggling with what happened, seek professional help.
• Give yourself time: Not everything will be the same after a difficult time. Give yourself time to recover.
• Get used to saying "no": You don't have to say "yes" to everything. Get used to saying "no" to things you can't do or that are causing you stress.

What are the benefits of 'Resilience Training'?

The value this training will add to your life is not insignificant.

• Ability to quickly recover from setbacks: Ability to face and overcome any challenge or setback in life.
• Identifying where to get help: You will gain an understanding of who and where you can ask for help in times of difficulty.
• Healthy ways to reduce stress: When you feel sad or stressed, you learn to turn to healthy ways like exercising and engaging in a good hobby instead of turning to things like alcohol.
• The ability to think positively: You are able to see the lesson that can be learned from a problem, rather than looking at it negatively.

Mentally strong and resilient people generally have high emotional intelligence. They also exhibit the following qualities:

• Being flexible in managing one's time and resources.
• Being curious about the world around you.
• Always focus on the positive and be grateful .
• Recognizing that one's greatest strength can also be one's greatest challenge.

When is it best to see a doctor?

If the following symptoms persist for more than two weeks after a stressful event, see a doctor immediately. Don't ignore them.

If you or someone close to you is in an emergency, immediately call 1990 (Suvaseriya) or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).

Life is unpredictable. It can bring us the most difficult challenges to bear. Sometimes, it's hard to overcome those things alone. 'Resilience Training' is a valuable tool that can help you in times like these.

If you're stuck in a life situation and feel like you can't move forward, remember that you're not alone. There's definitely a doctor or mental health counselor who can help you.