What is resilience?

Origin of the concept: engineering and the study of materials

Resilience is a fundamental concept for emotional strength.

The word comes from the field of physics and engineering, where it refers to a material's ability to withstand a force and return to its original shape without breaking.

Definition in psychology: the ability to face adversity and adapt

In psychology, the meaning is very similar. Resilience is a person's ability to face adversity.

It's not just about resisting blows, but about overcoming them and coming out stronger. It is the ability to adapt well to traumatic situations such as a tragedy or a loss.

Beyond overcoming: growing in the face of adversity

Some authors go further, saying that resilience is not only about overcoming difficulty, but also growing in the face of it, finding new meaning from the painful experience.

Resilience not as something innate, but as a capacity that can be worked on

Resilient people are not those who do not feel pain, but rather those who are capable of rebuilding themselves.

It is important to understand that resilience is not an innate trait. It is a capacity that can be learned and developed. We can all work to become more resilient.

Summary

Resilience, originating in engineering, describes the ability of a material to withstand force and return to it