Resilience requires individuals to accept life's unfairness and find joy despite pain, according to guidance released by Ohio State Health and Discovery on Jul. 23. The organization highlights that mental resilience is not only important for emotional well-being but also has a significant impact on physical health.
The article outlines that the commonly held 'just world belief'—the idea that good things happen to good people—can deepen distress when negative events occur despite one's best efforts. "It would be wonderful if the world worked like that all the time, but when we work hard to do the right things and something bad happens anyway, clinging to a just world belief can deepen the level of distress," the article states.
Resilience is described as a process rather than a fixed state, requiring ongoing use of tools and resources for self-care. Strategies for building resilience include identifying activities or relationships that restore energy, using internal coping skills such as maintaining perspective or practicing self-compassion, and seeking external support from friends, family, or counseling services. The article suggests practical steps such as breaking tasks into manageable pieces, adopting adaptability in changing circumstances, engaging with supportive social networks, prioritizing sleep and nutrition, limiting screen time before bed, nurturing relationships through presence and celebration of milestones, connecting with personal values or spiritual practices, volunteering in communities, and pursuing hobbies for joy and laughter—all while maintaining balance between pain and growth.
Ohio State Health and Discovery addresses societal issues including health equity and substance use while promoting inclusive well-being; it operates hospitals and outpatient facilities as part of its academic medical center; advances health locally in Ohio as well as globally through research innovations; offers resources on wellness topics; focuses on patient care education; and extends its efforts worldwide, all according to the official website.
The article concludes by emphasizing: "Remember that resilience is about seeking balance. It’s about creating space for joy and growth even in the presence of pain and sadness." It notes that one can emerge from adversity with wisdom and strength.
