The Secret to Resilience

"Resilience has been viewed by researchers as a dynamic concept rather than an individual trait. Rather than being a static personality trait, resilience is positively affected by systems of support and strong relationships. Embracing instability as a natural part of life increases our resilience, according to Dr. Suzan Song, MD, PhD, an internationally recognized humanitarian psychiatrist, anthropologist, and leading advocate for the most vulnerable populations of the world."

"As a psychiatrist and humanitarian mental health adviser, I've worked with people across the spectrum of despair - from egregious human rights violations to those who are affected by the more common daily life struggles of grief, loss, and rupture. I became fascinated by those who could flourish with a sense of grounding, despite the odds; one would assume that human trafficking and hostage would render someone nonfunctional. Yet, I met many who were the opposite."

"They not only survived, but thrived with a sense of ease and even joy. I wanted to know if they were born with some [inherent quality or if resilience could be cultivated through specific practices and support systems]."

Resilience, derived from the Latin word meaning "to rebound," represents the ability to resist adverse outcomes. Contemporary research views resilience not as a static personality trait but as a dynamic concept significantly influenced by systems of support and strong relationships. Dr. Suzan Song, a psychiatrist and humanitarian mental health adviser, explores how embracing instability as a natural part of life enhances resilience. Through her work with trauma survivors ranging from human trafficking victims to those experiencing everyday grief and loss, Song discovered that many individuals not only survived extreme adversity but thrived with a sense of ease and joy. Her research suggests that stability, while seemingly desirable, may not be optimal for long-term resilience development.

Read at Psychology Today