ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on successfully dealing with challenging people and situations. These kinds of situations are commonly perceived as stressors, especially when we perceive that we have little to no control over them. We explore the nature of stress and what makes things stressful. We specifically focus on strategies for coping with difficulties beyond one's control, including other people and the natural environment. We explore the concepts of what has been variously called resilience, coping, or adapting, in response to such stressors. We also explore the concepts of grit, which might be thought of as long-term resilience, and the concept of post-traumatic growth. Real-life examples are provided, including successful strategies for coping with global stressors, such as the most recent pandemic.
