No one would fault you if you feel despair or distress right now. In addition to whatever personal challenges you face, we all know the world is going through unprecedented turmoil from the pandemic and its economic aftermath, in addition to worldwide political upheavals. Admittedly, some of us are able to handle this better than others. What makes the difference? Beyond whatever resources and support systems you may have, one distinguishing factor seems to be personal resilience, i.e., your ability to adapt to adversity or a stressful life event.

Some preliminary research seems to suggest that the older you are, the better you may be handling current circumstances. For example, a recent study out of the University of Georgia’s Institute of Gerontology found that those over 70 seem to be handling the pandemic better than their younger counterparts. As the lead study author said, “They have life experience and coping mechanisms that we don’t often give them credit for but that’s part of their wisdom.” A recent study out of the University of British Columbia also found that “older adults are emotionally resilient despite public discourse often portraying their vulnerability.” And regardless of the hard times we face, another recent study out of Michigan State University concluded that no matter how close to the end of our lives we get, most of us still maintain a positive outlook, even in the face of adversity. And as writer Marne Platt recently described in a personal essay of hers, We’ve Seen Worse, “(Older adults) know they have survived worse…survivors all, they are deeply and remarkably resilient.”

Yet for many, feeling and actually being resilient is not an easy state to maintain. As clinical psychologist and resilience expert Meg Jay explains, “Resilience is not a trait. It’s not something you’re born with. It’s not something you just have.” In a recent TED interview, Jay provides several strategies to shore up your resilience, including recognizing the ways you’re already resilient, reaching out to people who understand and care about you, and finding a favorite way to take a mental break. Equally compelling are the strategies suggested by Dr. Lucy Thorne, director of the New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing and Resilience, who herself struggled after the shocking death of her young daughter. Speaking from personal experience, Dr. Thorne puts forth 3 coping strategies for becoming more resilient: Know that suffering is a part of everyone’s life, carefully choose where you’re directing your attention (“hunting for the good stuff”) and always ask yourself, is what you’re doing helping or harming you? As Thorne concludes, “Resilience isn’t a fix or elusive trait that some people have and some don’t. In reality, it requires the willingness to try basic strategies like these.” So, if you’re struggling at this moment, recognize there are ways to relieve your distress and regain some resilience.