Do you have enough resilience to face the world out there? Take our quiz to find out how resilient you are and find tips on how to build your mental resilience.
Resilience is an inner strength, the ability to bounce back and cope with a challenge or setback, whether a natural disaster, illness, the loss of your job or the breakup of a relationship. If you don't have enough resilience, you may feel victimised and overwhelmed, dwelling on your problems. As a result, you might turn to unhealthy habits such as substance or alcohol abuse to help you cope with life's stresses.
Take a look at the following statements and rate your responses:
1. If something bad is said about me, I can't stop thinking about it.
a)Strongly agree
b)Agree
c)Disagree
d)Strongly disagree
2. I find it hard to stand up for myself in a debate.
a)Strongly agree
b)Agree
c)Disagree
d)Strongly disagree
3. It's important to me that others like me.
a)Strongly agree
b)Agree
c)Disagree
d)Strongly disagree
4. I find it hard to recover from disappointments.
a)Strongly agree
b)Agree
c)Disagree
d)Strongly disagree
5. I can cope with whatever challenges life throws at me.
a)Strongly disagree
b)Disagree
c)Agree
d)Strongly agree
6. When I'm stressed, I find it hard to focus on what's important.
a)Strongly agree
b)Agree
c)Disagree
d)Strongly disagree
7. Criticism dents my self-confidence.
a)Strongly agree
b)Agree
c)Disagree
d)Strongly disagree
8. I enjoy a challenge. Hold my beer!
a)Strongly disagree
b)Disagree
c)Agree
d)Strongly agree
9. I am easily intimidated.
a)Strongly agree
b)Agree
c)Disagree
d)Strongly disagree
10. When faced with a challenge, I often give up quickly.
a)Strongly agree
b)Agree
c)Disagree
d)Strongly disagree
11. I strive to achieve my goals, whatever obstacles I face.
a)Strongly disagree
b)Disagree
c)Agree
d)Strongly agree
Now add up your scores. Give yourself one point for every a), two for b), three for c), and four for d).
35-44: You are very resilient and self-confident. You possess the strength and inner resources to face almost any challenge life throws at you.
25-34: You have good to moderate resilience and feel in control of your life. You cope well in a crisis and rebound from setbacks.
11-24: You lack emotional resilience. But don't despair; even if you're not naturally resilient, you can learn to handle stress better and find a way around problems rather than giving up. Read on for strategies to help you cope better with setbacks and challenges.
If you are easily discouraged and find it difficult to distinguish between minor setbacks and serious challenges, Bach Flowers can help you break the cycle and rebound from difficulties. Bach flowers help to reframe negative thoughts in a positive way so you can rebalance your life.
Learn to relax with relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation or deep breathing. Practice a good routine to make sure you get enough sleep. Exercise is a great way to relax - if you're bored with the gym, try something new such as dancing or cycling.
Don't let negative thoughts hold you back. Positive thinking means being aware of a negative inner voice when facing difficulties. Don't blame yourself or tell yourself that you won't be able to cope. Instead, correct negative thoughts with positive statements, tell yourself that you can do this, and you'll learn from it.
Everyone faces bad days and crises. But it's up to you whether you respond with negativity and panic or whether you stay calm and think logically to try to work through the challenge and find a solution.
Resilient individuals know that, although things may feel overwhelming at the moment, they may not be so significant in the longer term. So try not to blow events up out of proportion.
Every failure or mistake can teach you essential lessons so take time to reflect. And crises such as a relationship breakdown or job loss can trigger "post-traumatic growth". Stressful life events often lead to a period when people look at their lives and re-evaluate what's important, leading to positive change.
Resilient people are self-confident, and when they face challenges, they believe that they'll eventually succeed. Self-believe also gives them the confidence to take risks when striving to achieve their goals. Bach Flower Mix 44 can help reduce performance, anxiety, grow your self-belief and make you more resilient.
When you've built good relationships at work, you're happier and more able to cope with stress. And in your personal life, developing solid friendships gives you a natural support network you can lean on if things aren't going well for you.
Resilient people know that life can throw curveballs, and situations can change rapidly. However carefully you've planned, things may sometimes need to be altered or abandoned altogether. So try to be flexible and adapt to circumstances.
When someone recalls a tough, stressful time in their life, they often describe it as one of the best things that ever happened to them. They faced a setback but learnt from it and became more resilient, competent and determined. And when you can face life's challenges without letting them overwhelm you, you're free to enjoy your life to the full.
Sources:
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-resilience-2795059
https://www.bbc.co.uk/safety/health/improving-mental-wellbeing
Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety affect around 1 in 6 people at some stage of their life. Despite it being such a common problem, many sufferers wait months or even years before seeking help.
If you're worried that the world is changing too fast, you're not alone: technology is constantly developing, and it can be challenging to keep up with all the changes. As a result, many people - not just the older generations - feel anxious that they might get left behind.
It's not always easy to tell if someone has depression. While some signs such as sadness, pessimism and withdrawal from social interaction are easy to recognise, other symptoms may be less obvious. And some people are very good at hiding their depression - even from themselves!
People spend so much of their time regretting the past and worrying about the future. But it’s not worth it! Even what happened yesterday doesn't matter anymore! Let go of the past and the future and make the most of every moment.
Nowadays, it can sometimes seem almost everyone has a mental health issue or learning disorder. But, are we too quick to label people, or is it that we are more aware of the problems? This article looks at some of the issues surrounding these sensitive questions.
It's natural to compare our own lives with those of others - weighing up the pros and cons of situations helps us make decisions. But there can be a downside when you find you're constantly comparing yourself with others, envying their seemingly perfect lives and wondering why they are luckier, more prosperous, and better looking than you.
Do you sometimes despair about humanity because it seems there are far more bad people than good? Are we primarily selfish individuals, thinking only about our own needs? Or is this cynical belief just because we spend so much time online? The truth is more complicated!
It’s such a positive thing to do and hope springs eternal, so why not commit yourself to a change this year? Here’s our tips on how to stick to your new year’s resolutions.
Can we learn from our mistakes and develop a stronger, healthier emotional bondwith our kids? To help you identify your weak spots, we’ve rounded up some of the most common mistakes parents make.
Going back to school during a pandemic is a new experience for everyone, and it's understandable if children are feeling anxious about it. We take a look at some of the issues and how you can help your child to get ready for returning to the classroom.
Are you unsure which Bach flowers can help you? Contact Tom for free advice.
