It is important to build up resilience. Being resilient is about functioning in a healthy manner when faced with risk or stress. People who are resilient are able to withstand considerable difficulty and bounce back from difficult events. Resilience is not to be mistaken for simply being seen to act tough or to pretend everything is fine when it’s not: it’s about having the inner resources to assess a situation, look at what is needed and take appropriate positive action. It is possible to increase your resilience by making subtle changes to your life, your relationships and your thought patterns.

Ways to Build Resilience

• Nurture your support network. It is a common mistake that asking for help is a sign of weakness. Good relationships with close family members, friends or others are important, so try to accept help and support from those who care about you. Be aware of the people in your life who listen well, or who can give practical help: and then turn to them if and when you need to. 
   
• Think about what you can do, not what you can’t. A doctor treating a terminally ill patient will focus on improving the quality of life for the person in the time that they have left, rather than trying to change the inevitable. Accepting the circumstances that cannot be changed can help you focus on the circumstances that can.

• Embrace change. People who embrace change are more likely to be successful as they do not spend energy fighting what is going on around them to keep their environment stable. Try looking beyond the present to how future circumstances may be a little better and accept that change is a part of living.
   
• Set achievable goals. Instead of focusing on tasks that seem unachievable, break the task down into smaller chunks and then take decisive action. Being able to accomplish these smaller tasks can bring a sense of control and achievement.    
   
• Look for opportunities to develop new skills. People often learn something about themselves and find they have grown in some respect as a result of a struggle. Seeing yourself coping with a difficult or stressful situation can also help you to nurture a positive view of yourself.