How can you build resilience and cope with workplace bullying?

1 What is resilience?

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity and cope with challenges. It is not a fixed trait that you either have or don't have. It is a skill that you can develop and strengthen over time. Resilience helps you to maintain a positive outlook, adapt to changing situations, and learn from your experiences. It also protects you from the negative effects of stress, anxiety, and depression.

2 How to build resilience?

Building resilience requires taking care of your physical and emotional needs, such as eating well, sleeping enough, exercising, and relaxing. Additionally, cultivating a growth mindset – the belief that you can improve your skills and abilities through effort and feedback – is essential for embracing challenges and learning from mistakes. Lastly, having a strong network of supportive people can make a big difference in your resilience. They can provide you with emotional, practical, and moral support, as well as feedback and advice. Seeking social support from friends, family, colleagues, mentors, or peer support groups is key to building resilience.

3 What is peer support?

Peer support is a type of social support that involves sharing experiences, knowledge, and coping skills with people who have similar challenges or backgrounds. Peer support can help you to feel less alone, more understood, and more empowered. It can also help you to learn new strategies, gain new perspectives, and access useful resources.

4 How to find peer support?

Finding peer support is possible in a multitude of ways, depending on your needs and preferences. Joining a peer support group is one such option; these groups meet regularly to share stories, challenges, and solutions. You can find them online or offline, through your workplace, community, or professional associations. Some are facilitated by trained peers, while others are self-organized. Alternatively, you can reach out to a peer supporter who has been trained to provide individualized support. You can find them through workplace wellness programs, employee assistance programs, or local organizations. Additionally, becoming a peer supporter can help you build resilience and cope with workplace bullying. By helping others, you can improve your self-esteem, communication skills, and problem-solving skills. You can become a peer supporter by taking a peer support training course, volunteering for a peer support organization, or mentoring a colleague.

5 How to use peer support effectively?

Peer support can be an invaluable asset for building resilience and coping with workplace bullying, but it's not a replacement for professional help. If you're facing severe or persistent bullying, or have signs of mental health issues, you should seek the help of a qualified therapist, counselor, or coach. They can assist in addressing the source of the bullying, developing coping skills, and planning for the future. Peer support can supplement your professional help, but it cannot replace it.

For using peer support effectively, you should also be respectful, honest, and open-minded. Respect the privacy and boundaries of your peers as well as their opinions and experiences. Be honest about your feelings, needs, and goals as well as your strengths and weaknesses. Be open to new ideas, perspectives, and feedback while learning from your peers and sharing your own insights and resources.