Resilience - Meaning, Synonym and How to Become Resilient

Last updated: Mar 21, 2023

What is Resilience? What does it mean to be resilient?

Resilience can be described as the capacity to cope, bounce back, and thrive even in the face of adversity.

It means having the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and draw on inner strengths to find solutions.

Being resilient means being able to effectively manage stress, regulate emotions, and solve problems.

It also involves learning from mistakes and using creativity and problem-solving skills to find solutions.

Resilience is a trait that can be developed over time through practice and persistence.

People who are resilient have the courage to take risks, ask for help when necessary, and persevere through difficult times.

What are benefits of Resilience and why is it important to have Resilience in life?

Resilience is an important life skill that allows us to cope with challenging situations and stressful experiences.

Having resilience means that we are better able to deal with difficult emotions and work through them in a healthy manner.

Through resilience, we learn to respond to setbacks with strength and determination rather than giving up.

Resilience helps us find inner peace when things don’t go our way.

With resilience, we can come back stronger than before even when faced with overwhelming obstacles.

Resilience teaches us to take responsibility for our actions and focus on solutions instead of dwelling on failures.

Resilience builds character, develops self-esteem, and increases our ability to think critically.

By developing resilience, we become better equipped to handle whatever life throws our way and make the best of any situation. 

How to become resilient? What are the benefits of resilience?

Take time out to relax and de-stress – this is the first step to building resilience.

Self-awareness is key, so become familiar with the thoughts, feelings and physical sensations you experience when under pressure.

Develop a positive mindset by editing your thought processes, considering successful past experiences and focusing on the here and now.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or fail - use these as learning experiences for your future successes.

Challenge yourself to take control of what life throws at you – practice reacting differently to difficult situations.

Make sure you can always keep things in perspective to reduce anxiety levels.

Set achievable goals and milestones to stay on track – this will help motivate you in trying times.

Build your self-confidence by celebrating your accomplishments and understanding your own unique strengths and capabilities.

Opposites of Resilience

Non-resilience can manifest as an inability to flexibly problem-solve in difficult situations.

Becoming overwhelmed or stuck when faced with obstacles.

Having difficulty moving forward and persevering despite challenges.

Tendency to fixate on negative emotions instead of finding solutions.

Difficult time holding back harsh words or lashing out when faced with difficult people or events.

Using unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as excessive eating, alcohol consumption, or avoidance, instead of finding more productive ways of managing stress.

Disengaging from social interactions and hobbies that used to bring joy.

Read also:

Resilience: Build skills to endure hardship - Mayo Clinic

10 Ways to Build Resilience (verywellmind.com)

Synonym of Resilience 

Sturdiness 

Hardiness 

Fortitude 

Robustness 

Toughness 

Determination 

Perseverence 

Grit 

Tenacity 

Enduringness 

Endurance

Spirit

Robustness

Resourcefulness

Adaptability

Words related to Resilience

Stamina

Strength

Endurance

Tenacity

Perseverance

Robustness

Bounce back

Recover

Resourcefulness

Adaptability

Grit

Mettle

Indomitable

Resoluteness

Persistence

Courage

Determination

Inner strength

Pliability

Recuperation

Reconstruction

Rebound

Rebuild

Resurgence

Resolution

Sturdiness

Toughness

Vigor

Vitality

Vigour

Will power

Adversity

Flexibility

Toughness

Strength

Grit

Persistence

Stamina

Resilience

Recovery

Poise

Self-assurance

Confidence

Fortitude

Determination

Bounce-back

Reinforcement

Vigour

Robustitude

Sustainability

Stalwartness

Sturdiness

Fearlessness

Invincibility

Stoicism

Indomitability

Resistance

Vitality

Stability

Independence