All About Resilience

Resilience is that ineffable quality that allows some people to be knocked down by life and come back stronger than ever. Rather than letting failure overcome them and drain their resolve, they find a way to rise from the ashes. Psychologists have identified some of the factors that make someone resilient, among them a positive attitude, optimism, the ability to regulate emotions, and the ability to see failure as a form of helpful feedback. Even after misfortune, resilient people are blessed with such an outlook that they are able to change course and soldier on.

Recent posts on Resilience

Triumph or Tragedy: How You Tell Your Story Matters

While making mistakes is not an especially pleasurable experience, when people become depressed, it is usually because they mistake difficult chapters for the entire plotline. They also under-value the important lessons that come from harder chapters which, if we read them correctly, can help us move on to happier ones.
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Study Suggests Patients Can Treat Depression on Their Own

In general, the participants expressed higher life satisfaction and self-efficiency.

Imposter Syndrome and Fear of Failure

By Katherine Hawley Ph.D. on December 10, 2017 in Trust
When we feel like the token minority, it's not surprising that we fear being uncovered as a 'fraud'.

The Power of Mindfulness

The Power of Mindfulness How to regain balance and clarity in your life.

Accept Your Self-Doubt To Diminish Your Anger

How often is your anger a go-to reaction to discomfort with underlying self-doubt? Distinguish between destructive and positive self-doubt to help you curtail anger arousal.

The Emotional Aftermath of Speaking Out

By Mariana Plata on December 07, 2017 in The Gen Y Psy
Who are the "Silence Breakers" and why is their work so important? Speaking out your truth can be an emotional rollercoaster.
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How to Find Happiness in Today's World

By Ryan M. Niemiec Psy.D. on December 07, 2017 in What Matters Most?
If less than 20 percent of people are flourishing, what can we do to build more well-being? Check out the latest research and several practical strategies.

What Is Curbing the Impact of Cyberbullying on Teens?

By Sue Scheff on December 07, 2017 in Shame Nation
New research suggests teens who face online bullying likely recover in a week.

Global Mental Health Challenges and Remedies in Chicago

By  Stevan Weine, M.D. on December 07, 2017 in Cafes Around the World
Are there global mental health problems in our university's backyard?

Ten Steps to a Resilient Holiday Season

Have the intention to make this season jolly.

Smoking in Adaptive Perspective

By Nigel Barber Ph.D. on December 06, 2017 in The Human Beast
People continue to smoke at the expense of survival, vigor, and reproductive success. Why?
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Is Private School the Solution to Bullying?

By Izzy Kalman on December 05, 2017 in Resilience to Bullying
Floridians are heatedly debating a bill that will allow parents to send their bullied children to private school. But do private schools have the solution to bullying?

Feeling Bad?

By Jeff Corbin, MD MPH on December 01, 2017 in Rethinking Normal
Positive and negative emotions — we all have them. Here's why.

Coping With Collective Trauma

By Joy Jacobs J.D., Ph.D. on November 30, 2017 in One More Bite
Has the state of the world left you feeling off balance? These simple strategies will bring you back to center.

Family of Choice

Borrowing relatives from other families.
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Create Your Ideal Sports Training and Competitive Focus

By Jim Taylor Ph.D. on November 30, 2017 in The Power of Prime
Focus is so important to athletic success because you if you’re not focused, you have little chance of doing the things that will enable you to perform your best.
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Do Less, Lead Better (Really!)

By Sara Canaday on November 29, 2017 in You (According to Them)
As a leader, you might constantly push yourself to do more to keep up with ever-changing work environments. But the most powerful approach to leadership today isn't about doing.

Grief at the Holidays

Grief can be something that shows us another aspect of life, a part we might prefer not to know, but that, in some ways, gives us a greater appreciation of life.

Rethink Your Way to a Saner Holiday Season

Is your brain overwhelmed by a never-ending holiday checklist? Research shows that rethinking your way to merry and bright should go straight to the top of your list.

For World AIDS Day: Claiming Our Community's Power

By John-Manuel Andriote on November 28, 2017 in Stonewall Strong
There is strength, and resilience, in community. Gay men in the AIDS epidemic built an awesome community.

Five Tips to Help Accomplish Whatever You Want to Do

By Abigail Brenner M.D. on November 28, 2017 in In Flux
Change is inevitable. The step-wise process of change can be mastered to help you make the needed changes to your life and to accomplish desired goals.

There's a Difference Between Privacy and Secrecy

Talking about your emotional wounds can make you mentally stronger. But, it's important to be intentional about who you share your story with and when you decide to share it.
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Love, Sex, and Romance with Different Abilities

By Elizabeth Young on November 27, 2017 in Adaptations
Hal says, "When you’ve got intimacy, and you add touching, you’ve got really good sex.” 

What We've Got Here Is a Failure to Communicate

By Robert H. Woody Ph.D. on November 27, 2017 in Live... In Concert
Although music is not a universal language, it can be the perfect medium to express feelings.
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Forgiveness Is a Gift of Clarity to Yourself

By Tara Well Ph.D. on November 26, 2017 in The Clarity
If you're having trouble forgiving, remember it's a gift to yourself.

Turn Off That Smartphone, Mom and Dad!

New research shows that things can go wrong in children’s development when parents are distracted and non-responsive.

Grief Lessons

By Susan K Perry Ph.D. on November 23, 2017 in Creating in Flow
My husband of 34 years died recently. Unprepared for the reality of terrible loss, I learned how to grieve like everyone does: the hard way. Here are 12 lessons....

Four Ways to Feel Better about Yourself

Not feeling confident? Silence that inner critic and boost your self-worth with these tips.

The Space Between Mindfulness and Self-Confidence

By Linda Esposito LCSW on November 21, 2017 in From Anxiety to Zen
Think it's too late to build your self-worth? Think again. Research reveals the connection between confidence, competence and aging.

Should Kids Be Allowed to Take Mental Health Days?

You wouldn't think twice about letting your child stay home from school for a physical illness like the flu. But should you let him take a mental health day?