How Strong Relationships Contribute To Resilience

We all face difficult times in our lives. No one is immune to hardships, heartache, or loss. But some people seem to be able to weather any storm while others crumble under the pressure. What’s the difference? Resilience. And one of the key ingredients of resilience is a strong support system of family and friends. Here’s how close relationships can contribute to greater resilience.

A Shoulder To Cry On

In times of trouble, it’s good to know that you have someone to lean on—literally and figuratively. When you have a close network of family and friends, you always have someone to turn to when you need a shoulder to cry on or just a listening ear. And sometimes, that’s all you need to get through a tough time. Just knowing that there are people in your life who care about you and want to help can make all the difference.

A Helping Hand

During tough times, it’s not uncommon for people to need a little extra help. Maybe you can’t make ends meet after losing your job or you need help taking care of your kids while you’re going through a divorce. Whatever the case may be, having close relationships means having people in your life who are willing and able to lend a helping hand when times are tough.

A Positive Influence

When you’re going through a tough time, it’s easy to fall into negative thinking patterns. You might start thinking that things will never get better or that you’re never going to find another job if you’ve been laid off. If you have resilient friends and family members in your life, they can help snap you out of that negative mindset and give you the encouragement you need to keep going even when things are tough.

Having strong relationships doesn’t mean that bad things will never happen to you—but it does mean that you’ll have the support system you need to weather any storm. So, if you want to build greater resilience in your life, start by nurturing the relationships with the people who matter most to you.