Think about a time when you had a challenge to work through.

Maybe it was when someone close to you was sick, you had to change schools or jobs, or your home life was not going well.

  • What did you do to cope?
  • Was there a person or a group of people who helped you?
  • Is there something you did that didn’t really help?

It is good to think about the things that worked for you, that made you able to cope because you will probably have to use them again.Green_Sprout_Growing_Crack_Cement_LR_000071350619

This ability to work through life’s challenges and stressors is called resilience.

There are times when we may not have coped with a situation or life event as well as we would have liked. But, the good news is that there are things we all can do to become more resilient in order to help us through challenging or tough times!

The benefits of being more resilient are real and meaningful. In fact, we know from research that people who are more resilient live longer, do better at school and work and have happier and healthier relationships.

Here are some things we can all do to be more resilient:

  • Think about how you feel and what you do when you have a challenge.
  • What are your strengths and abilities?
  • Make a list of all the things that helped you cope.
  • Take care of your body.  Get out in nature, eat healthy food, be active.
  • Learn to breathe deeply, relax and quiet your mind.
  • Connect with others: friends, family, co-workers, faith groups and stay connected.
  • Reach out and ask others for help when you need it

Work on thinking in a realistic, yet hopeful way about life’s challenge.

If you or someone you know needs more help or support, check out these agencies:

Walk-in Counselling clinic
YSB walk in counselling and Crisis Chat service
Crossroads walk in counselling
Distress Centre
Parent Lifeline of Eastern Ontario
Mental Health Crisis Line
Centre d’aide
Tele-aide Outaouais

For a full listing of mental health services please visit e-Mental Health

Source: Ottawa Public Health