Bouncing Back During Challenges: A Short Guide to Resilience

During these unique times, navigating physical distance, managing classes online, and adjusting to new living situations may mean that it is time to sharpen your resiliency reserves. 

Resilience is one’s ability to recover from difficulties. It is thought that resilience can be learned and includes being aware of, and changing how we think about events from initially negative to more positive appraisals. For example, 

• “The pandemic is going to make it impossible for me to find a job, why even try!”  

While it is true that it might be more challenging to find a job after graduating, another way to look at this challenge is,

• “While I may not be able to find the exact job I was hoping for, I have skills in being able to work online, and can add a lot to a company. I am going to apply to a wide range of positions!” 

The first statement might leave you feeling defeated and not wanting to do anything while the second statement validates the difficulties and invites creative action! 

Resilience is based in positive psychology and incorporates other factors such as optimism and positive emotions. Resiliency is not a trait that only some people have but is instead a set of behaviors, thoughts, and actions that one can take during times of distress. The best part is that resiliency can be built. A few ways to build resilience are:

• Build your connections.

• Have strong relationships and connections with understanding people who can support you during difficult times.

• Invest in your health and well-being.

• Make sure to take care of your mind, body, and spirit with healthful techniques.

• Explore your purpose.

• Transform large goals into smaller ones, take advantage of classes or opportunities that help you to discover yourself, or find time to help others.

• Embrace healthy and positive thoughts.

• Keep perspective about the present moment, accept the changes happening around you, learn from past experiences, and look toward the future with hope.

• Seek help early and often.

• Reach out to family, friends, or professionals when you need help either physically or emotionally during a challenging time.

The Counseling Center has resources to support your cultivation of resilience, including:  

• You’ve Got This: Four-Week Resilience-Building Webinar - for more information and to register go to myUMBC.

• Next Round: Mondays 1 – 2:30 p.m., beginning November 2

• WellTrack - free app for UMBC students with materials to address depression, anxiety/stress, and public speaking with the very new addition of resilience materials to tackle overwhelming feelings. It includes a new course on resiliency to help you understand your feelings during this time of crisis, and helps teach techniques and perspective to apply when these feelings can seem overwhelming.

The Counseling Center is here to support you. Visit counseling.umbc.edu for information on services and additional webinars. You can also follow their myUMBC group.