What Is Resilience and How Can You Use It?

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Most people—when they lose sight in one eye—initially feel vulnerable and uncertain. Usually, that uncertainty fades on its own, and you get back on track as best you can. Sometimes this happens naturally, but most of the time you’ll need a good deal of resilience to start feeling like your old self again.

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What is resilience?

Resilience is the ability to recover from stress and adversity. This ability to bounce back is determined by a combination of:

Genetic predisposition: This includes your innate temperament, optimism, self-confidence, and problem-solving ability. Research has shown that genetic predisposition plays only a very small role in resilience.
Personal History: Past experiences with setbacks and how you dealt with them can prepare you for future challenges.
Social support: Strong relationships with family, friends, and coworkers can help during difficult times.
Healthy Lifestyle: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep contribute to your physical and mental resilience.
Coping strategies: Your ability to find ways to deal with stress and setbacks—such as mindfulness, meditation, or keeping a journal—can increase your resilience.

By consciously working on these aspects, you can strengthen your resilience and better cope with your illness or the loss of an eye.