Five Pillars of Resilience, According to Psychology  

Life is not always easy for you. It involves a lot of ups and downs. Still, many pass through them strongly. What helps you to overcome them? That is called resilience – the ability to regain your mental health after adversities. Resilience is not something innate. Anyone can achieve it. Resilience is an important skill we all need to develop to deal with our various challenges. 

To develop resilience you need to be familiar with the five pillars of it. These include self-awareness, mindfulness, self-care, positive relationships, and purpose. This article delves into each pillar and helps you explore them. 

Self-Awareness: The Journey to Explore Oneself 

How much do you know about yourself? Self-awareness is the self-focused attention or knowledge. This is your ability to perceive and interpret your thoughts, values, behaviour, likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, and so on. Knowing oneself better is the most important thing in dealing with different challenges in your life. 

Generally, there are two types of self-awareness – public self-awareness and private self-awareness. Public self-awareness is your awareness of how you present yourself in front of others. This lets you behave in socially accepted ways and follow social norms. In contrast, private self-awareness is becoming aware of different aspects of yourself in a more private sense such as being aware of your thoughts and emotions. 

Read More: 5 Hacks to Increase Self-Awareness

You can increase your self-awareness through various strategies. 

• Meditation: Meditation is an act of noticing oneself and surroundings. Practising meditation helps you understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviour in a non-judgmental way. Mindfulness also increases your touch with the surroundings. 
• Journaling: You can practice this in your daily lives and can make it a hobby. You can write about your thoughts, emotions, actions, and different experiences and their consequences. 
• Develop emotional intelligence: Emotional intelligence is your ability to perceive your emotions and those of others. This helps you to respond with more empathy and compassion. 

Mindfulness: Being in the Present 

Do you find some time to fully focus on the present? In this busy and competitive world, many of you may worry about the past or future, often forgetting the present. Mindfulness is an important skill you can develop to be in the present. This involves being deeply aware of the present without judging. This increases your awareness of the self and surroundings. Practicing mindfulness increases your emotional resilience. Many times you get stuck in the past or future worries. Thereby, hiding the possibilities to solve the issues in the present.

Mindfulness brings you back to the present and lets you perceive the world more realistically. It helps you to detach from your negative irrational thoughts and develop alternative positive thought patterns. How can you practice mindfulness? There are so many mindfulness methods you can employ. Some examples are: 

• Breathing meditation 
• Body scan meditation 
• Loving-kindness meditation 
• Observing-thought meditation 

You can adhere to the method which is more comfortable for you. Practice them regularly and make it a habit. 

Self-care: Fueling Your Inner Strength 

While dealing with different tasks and challenges in life, you often forget to care for yourself. A healthy person can deal with different challenges in life much better. You may burn out by working too hard without much rest. So always remember to take a break and get enough rest. There are five types of self-care: 

1. Physical self-care: You know that mind and body are interconnected. So, how you treat your body can affect your mental health. You can take care of your body by getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, proper diet, or physical exercises. Do health check-ups and follow guidance to maintain your physical health. 
2. Mental self-care: What are the things you to do take care of your mental health? While doing self-care, this type becomes the least prioritized. You can do this by keeping your mind sharp by engaging in activities like doing puzzles or learning something new. You can also develop self-compassion and acceptance. 
3. Emotional self-care: This involves activities that help you acknowledge and express emotions safely. You can talk with a trustworthy person about your emotions or engage in different activities that facilitate the processing of emotions. 
4. Social self-care: Supportive social connections can help you deal with different challenges in your life. Set aside some time to build and maintain healthy relationships.
5. Spiritual self-care: Spiritual self-care is not always related to religion. This involves engaging in activities like meditation which help you develop more understanding and meaning of the universe. 

Read More: Psychology of Spiritual Awakening: Transforming Self and Society

Positive Relationship: Your Support Squad 

Positive relationships are always a boon to building resilience in the face of adversity. You don’t always need to suffer alone. Asking for support when you get stuck is not a sign of weakness, it’s a way of strength to cope. These relationships may be with your family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, or anyone. The support you receive from these relationships may be either tangible or intangible. Tangible forms include practical help or financial support. In contrast, intangible comprises of empathy, encouragement, or guidance. 

Positive relationships can boost your well-being, help you build coping strategies, and create a sense of belongingness and reciprocity. It enhances your ability to move forward in the face of life’s challenges. You can expand your positive relationships by getting membership in different communities or organizations, through open communication, providing support, and maintaining them. 

Read More: Importance of Family and Caregiver Support in Rehabilitation

Purpose

A sense of purposelessness in your life may worsen your suffering. You may fail to see the meaning of different experiences in your life. So, developing a sense of purpose may let you stay focused and motivated. Purpose gives meaning to different struggles and transforms obstacles into growth opportunities. It involves developing a goal in life worth striving for. Don’t mistake goals as always material things. It can be developing positive relationships, building self-confidence, or a sense of belonging. 

How to develop a sense of purpose in your life? Find what excites and drives you. Set meaningful goals, engage in activities that align with your values, and embrace a mindset of gratitude. When you have a clear sense of direction, setbacks become temporary detours rather than dead ends. 

Conclusion 

Your life gets challenging at different points of your life. Some people may face intense long-term challenges. Not everyone’s lives are the same. Despite the kind of problem you face, resilience is an important skill that helps most people bounce back to regain their mental health while going through several challenges and obstacles in their lives. 

Resilience isn’t about avoiding hardship—it’s about learning how to rise every time you fall. By cultivating self-awareness, practicing mindfulness, prioritizing self-care, building strong relationships, and staying connected to your purpose, you can develop the inner strength needed to thrive in any situation. 

Knowing these five pillars of resilience can facilitate your journey of developing resilience in your life. Many people may only know this term but don’t know how to make it practical in their lives. Hope this article will act as a building block to the first stage of developing resilience in you. What matters most is your effort and determination. So, which pillar will you start strengthening today? 

FAQs 

1. What is resilience, and why is it important?

Resilience is the ability to adapt and recover from stress, adversity, or trauma. It helps individuals navigate challenges, maintain emotional well-being, and emerge stronger from difficult situations. Developing resilience enables better coping strategies, reduces anxiety, and fosters a more positive outlook on life. 

2. Can resilience be developed, or is it an innate trait? 

Resilience is not something you are born with; it is a skill that can be cultivated over time. By practicing self-awareness, mindfulness, and self-care, individuals can enhance their well-being. Additionally, building positive relationships and finding a sense of purpose contribute to resilience. Together, these habits help improve one’s ability to handle life’s challenges.

3. How does self-awareness contribute to resilience? 

Self-awareness helps you recognize and understand your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. By being aware of your strengths, weaknesses, and triggers, you can manage stress more effectively, make informed decisions, and develop a greater sense of control over your life. 

4. What are simple ways to practice mindfulness daily? 

Mindfulness can be incorporated into daily life through small, intentional actions, such as deep breathing exercises, focusing on the present moment, practicing gratitude, and engaging in mindful activities like walking, eating, or even listening to music. Meditation is another effective way to develop mindfulness over time. 

5. Can resilience help in professional and workplace settings? 

Yes, resilience is crucial in professional life. It helps individuals manage workplace stress, adapt to change, overcome setbacks, and maintain productivity. Resilient employees are better at problem-solving, handling criticism, and maintaining a positive attitude under pressure. 

6. How long does it take to build resilience? 

Building resilience is an ongoing process and varies from person to person. Consistent practice of the five pillars—self-awareness, mindfulness, self-care, positive relationships, and purpose—over time leads to noticeable improvements in emotional strength and adaptability.