The Rising Need for Resilience in a Tenuous World
By Laura Davis, Caulfield Counsellor, Boost Wellness
As a human on earth, our shared world feels less stable. There’s a sense that we are vulnerable to forces outside our control—whether that relates to politics, health, climate, finance, technology, social media, or multiple wars. This sense of vulnerability around us requires us to be more resilient than ever before. Having the capacity to process multiple stressful events and recover quickly is at the heart of being resilient.
Without resilience, our mental health suffers. We feel heavy. The weight of the world presses down on our ability to cope. Prolonged stress, without relief or recovery, can lead to anxiety, burnout, and depression. It is at the stage of hopelessness—when we feel emotionally threadbare and unable to envision a way forward—that depression often seeps in.
I see this often in my practice. People walk through the door feeling overwhelmed—not necessarily by one large trauma, but by the accumulation of chronic stress, emotional disconnection, and the speed of change. They say things like, “I don’t know why I feel this way,” or “Everyone else seems to be coping.” But the truth is: we are not meant to cope alone, and resilience is not about being invincible. It’s about recovery and connection.
What Is Resilience, Really?
Psychological resilience is not a trait we’re either born with or without. It’s a set of skills, attitudes, and supports that allow us to bounce back after adversity. The American Psychological Association defines resilience as “the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences.” This includes emotional regulation, realistic optimism, strong social networks, and a sense of purpose or meaning.
The late Dr. Ann Masten, a leading resilience researcher, called it “ordinary magic”—the everyday internal and external resources that help people weather storms. This “magic” can be cultivated.
Why It Matters Now
We are living in a time of global uncertainty. The pandemic years may be behind us, but their effects linger: disconnection, digital overload, anxiety about the future, and a thinning of our usual supports. Social fabric has frayed. Community feels harder to access. Even before COVID-19, loneliness was being described by the World Health Organization as a public health epidemic. That hasn’t improved.
Now more than ever, we need to turn inward and outward—to build resilience within ourselves, and to rebuild community around us. Not in grand gestures, but in simple, grounded ways.
How to Build Resilience: Evidence-Based Tools
Connection is Key
The Social Baseline Theory (Coan & Sbarra, 2015) shows that human brains are wired to expect connection. When we are supported, our brains perceive less threat. Cultivating connection—whether through friendship, counselling, or community—is a core component of resilience.Cognitive Reframing
Based in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), reframing helps us shift how we interpret events. Instead of spiraling into “I can’t handle this,” resilience sounds like, “This is hard, but I’ve faced hard things before.”Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation
Research by Jon Kabat-Zinn and others shows that mindfulness strengthens our capacity to sit with discomfort without becoming overwhelmed by it. It trains the mind to pause, rather than panic.Self-Compassion
According to Dr. Kristin Neff, self-compassion—being kind to ourselves in times of struggle—reduces anxiety and increases emotional resilience. It reminds us we are human, not machines.Purpose and Meaning
Viktor Frankl, in Man’s Search for Meaning, wrote that having a “why” can help us endure almost any “how.” Purpose is a protective factor. It can be as small as showing up for your kids, volunteering, or working toward change.
When to Seek Help
Resilience doesn't mean doing it all on your own. Sometimes, true strength lies in knowing when to reach out. If you're feeling persistently low, anxious, or overwhelmed, seeking counselling support can be the most resilient act of all.
At Boost Wellness in Caulfield, I offer evidence-based support to help people rediscover their strength and develop the tools to face life’s challenges with steadiness and hope. Whether you're dealing with burnout, a major transition, or just a growing sense of unease, you are not alone. Together, we can build the resilience that this moment in history demands.