MHM Magazine

Issue 5 | 2024 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 31 MHM 6. The ability to learn coping strategies from previous adversity. 7. Flexibility to deal with the demands of life, daily living or trauma. 8. Physical fitness and health including health promoting behaviour that facilitates coping and fast recovery. 9. Positive self-worth, positive outlook on life or optimism or the ability to appreciate everything in and around us on a daily basis. 10. Sexual intimacy and spending time in nature are linked with happiness and building emotional reserve. Types of resilience and resilience paradox Resilience is physical, mental, emotional and social and social determinants of this can increase or decrease our ability to cope. Mental resilience can be compromised by latent vulnerabilities and a predisposition for mental health challenges or a history of a previous diagnosis of psychiatric disorders. From a physical perspective we know that exercise has an effect on the endocrine system that can improve resilience by exerkines (IL-6) that act as signalling moieties that exert its effects via endocrine, paracrine and/or autocrine pathways. We also know that food insecurity and economic instability decrease resilience. Good sleep improves the ability to deal with stress to “bounce back” and pharmacological management can increase resilience. Social networks can offer support, but often are the cause of trauma or stress, alternatively contribute to stigmatise, humiliate or marginalise a person in distress from the network that must provide support. We must not negate the effect of impoverished communities or areas experiencing natural disasters and learned helplessness. Social support is embedded in culture and religious systems and associated with preferred ways of dealing with life. Not everyone finds spiritual meaning in times of hardship, in fact, they sometimes question the very same system for allowing whatever stress or trauma they experience. Good things happen to bad people and bad things to good people, and it does not make sense if you are the person dealing with the stress or trauma and struggle to see a future or have energy to deal with it. The question is also how much it takes to break a camel’s back. Some individuals display resilience and maintain good wellbeing in adversity, but if adversity is not resolved, the repetitive distress and coping can even cause vulnerability in the “strongest” amongst us. Tips for building resilience Besides determinants of resilience, you can improve resilience by: 1. Reflection- know yourself, your strengths and vulnerabilities. 2. Internal locus of control – Not everything that is bad, is our fault – it’s often an external trigger, but we can choose how we respond to it. Reframing of thinking is associated with positive internal locus of control. 3. Manage your stressors – do the needful in time (never procrastinate) that you don’t accumulate debt, ongoing relational conflict, work overload etc… 4. Enjoy constructive free time to relax or do what you enjoy. 5. Effective social support – it can be practical (food, clothing, transport), or emotional (listening, a shoulder in tough times). It’s important to remember that giving support also improves your resilience. Associate with people who can enrich your life. 6. Good and regular nutrition and physical fitness have benefits for emotional and mental resilience. 7. Mindfulness – make time for silence, meditation or just appreciating good things in your life and environment. To conclude, resilience contributes to improved mental health, better relationships, and enhanced problem-solving skills and leads to long-term success, as well as personal and interpersonal wellbeing. It’s important to know that when your resilience is depleted find help! Professional help and support are always available. References available on request. MHM | 2024 | Volume 11 | Issue 5 | Resilience paradox within healthcare professionals MHM