Building Resilience Through Relationships
What is Resilience
During this time of change and uncertainty, building resilience through relationships can help us better cope with everything. Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, or significant stress. There are many factors that can determine how resilient someone is. One of the most important determinants of resilience is the quality of close, personal relationships that you have in your life.
Early Attachment Plays a Role
Early attachments that occur in childhood are the first indicators of what types of relationships we will have moving into our adult years. In a TED Talk about the connection between attachment and resilience, Dr. Wollin explains how, “the presence of at least one caring adult can make a profound difference in a child’s ability to face adversity later in life.” These early attachments can play a crucial, lifelong role in how we respond to difficulties. Resilient people have close, secure attachments to others, where they feel supported and safe.
Why Relationships Matter
Having positive support networks can remind us that we’re not alone in the midst of our difficulties and help us feel less stress when we are suffering. These connections can help us overcome adversity and be resilient. Those who have not experienced secure attachments earlier in life can still build resilience too, by seeking out relationships that involve trust, understanding and care. Those types of connections can enable us to strengthen the skills associated with resilience.
Building Resilience Through Relationships
Prioritizing our relationships is a great way to build resilience during this time. We can focus on connections with trustworthy and compassionate people who will validate our feelings and encourage us. Investing in relationships where we can embrace vulnerability and lean on one another will ultimately strengthen our resilience. By maintaining supportive relationships with others, we can get through the difficult times feeling cared for and much less alone.
