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Staying Mindful and Resilient During Times of Transition

Moira Mulhern, PhD

October 31, 2019

We face many transitions throughout life. Sometimes, when we are confronted by one of these changes, we choose not to follow through and go another way. Other transitions cannot be bypassed.

Cancer is a transition that, once diagnosed, cannot be avoided. After diagnosis, you go into action, receive your treatment and begin the cure. It’s a time filled with uncertainty, fear and hope. You hope you will complete treatment and live the rest of your life as a survivor.

You may experience a roller coaster of emotions. This is where having resilience skills comes in handy. If you have the skills to meet your transitions and move through them, you will come out on the other side stronger, wiser and more resilient. If you are resilient, your life will seem easier and more peaceful.

Resilience is the ability to bounce back in the face of whatever comes your way. Resilient people may be strengthened by their experience with stress.

Key characteristics of resiliency

Resilient people share certain traits, including optimism, hope, hardiness and the ability to identify and express their emotions. Decades of research identifies 10 key characteristics of resilience:

The good news is there's considerable research showing that people can learn to be more resilient. The benefits of resiliency training include greater personal balance, enhanced creativity, improved mood, increased effectiveness in the workplace and in personal relationships, and greater physical health.

However, resilience training is like exercising or reducing caloric intake for weight loss. It only works if you incorporate it into your daily life.

Improving your resilience

Resilience is about maintaining inner reserves and focusing on what you need in the moment. Actions you take in response to stressful situations play a central role in determining how well you maintain and replenish reserves.

Some of the best ways to calm and replenish yourself:

Through classes, activities and education, Turning Point, a community resource of The University of Kansas Health System, helps participants increase resilience so they may live life to the fullest, even while experiencing chronic disease.

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