Resilience is the ability to positively adapt to and rebound from significant adversity and the stress it creates. Practicing resilience can help us get through the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, and grow from the experience.

In most cases, resilience develops as we manage negative or challenging experiences in our environment. If nothing “bad” ever happened to us, we would probably never be able to develop positive resilience skills!

It’s a dynamic process and is enhanced with good coping strategies, and systemic supports. Those coping strategies include the ability to recognise stress, the ability to identify its real cause, accessing internal and external resources, and developing the skills required for emotional regulation.

What are the individual factors that contribute to resilience?

• A sense of self-efficacy
• A high level of motivation
• Optimism
• Strong social supports
• Actively facing fears and problems
• Being open-minded and flexible in thinking style and problem solving
• Reasonable persistence, coupled with knowledge of when enough is enough
• Emotional stability.

What can teams, managers and organisations do to help build resilience?

• Having empathy
• Communicating respectfully
• Accepting people for who they are
• Giving people a chance to contribute
• Treating mistakes as learning experiences
• Emphasising strengths
• Letting people solve problems and make decisions themselves.

Using your EAP to develop skills in resilience 

Many employees access EAP when they are distressed due to unmanageable stress levels. However, you can also work with an EAP counsellor to develop skills in resilience. These skills will help promote well-being and protect you from stress risk factors.

Resilience Training with Caraniche at Work

Caraniche at Work’s Resilience & Self-care Training considers the key concepts of resilience and stress in the workplace and provides practical strategies that staff can put in to place to support themselves and each other in a team environment. Contact our training team to learn more about customised options for your workplace.