Parenting is one of life’s most rewarding roles, but also one of the most challenging. Today, the struggle to balance work, life, and family has intensified. EY Global Survey 2024 reveals that one-third of professionals find it harder to manage these competing demands, especially millennial parents—who are twice as likely as boomers to have a working spouse.

The mental load is real. Lack of sleep, parental guilt, and the overwhelming stress of trying to “do it all” are pushing many to the brink. 90% of working parents feel stressed at their jobs, with 61% calling that stress overwhelming (Bright Horizon, 2022). Beyond work stress, 67% of millennial parents say their biggest challenge is finding time for their own health—physical, mental, and emotional. And it’s taking a toll.

Nearly 46% of working parents are considering leaving their jobs in the next 12 months because they simply can’t make the juggling act work anymore. It’s clear that working parents need more support, particularly around mental health and work-life balance.

So, how can we navigate these challenges? Positive Resilience.  Positive resilience isn’t just about enduring stress—it’s about thriving despite it. Positive Resilience is the ability not only to bounce back from adversity but to bounce forward, using challenges as fuel for growth and success. Our research with Herts University has shown that thriving at work is the real key to long-term satisfaction, engagement, and overall happiness.

Here are the 7 human conditions that foster thriving:

1. Purpose – The driving force that keeps us moving forward, even under pressure. It’s the sense of meaning and self-determination that helps us persevere through difficult times.
2. Perspective – How we interpret challenges defines how we handle them. By adopting an optimistic and solution-focused mindset, we can reframe setbacks as opportunities for growth.
3. Control – The ability to regulate our emotional responses, especially under stress. Staying calm and composed allows us to handle pressure more effectively, without becoming overwhelmed.
4. Connection – Strong, supportive relationships are critical. The ability to give and receive support from others—both at work and at home—helps us feel grounded and capable of handling life’s demands.
5. Growth – Embracing challenges and viewing them as opportunities to learn and improve. This mindset not only enhances our resilience but also helps us adapt and evolve in an ever-changing environment.
6. Coping – How well we manage the stress and pressures of our lives. Developing healthy coping mechanisms—whether it’s mindfulness, exercise, or setting good boundaries—is crucial for sustaining our energy and focus.
7. Wellbeing – The foundation of everything. Without good physical and mental health, it’s impossible to thrive. Engaging in habits that support our health—like getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking mental breaks—is essential for handling life’s ups and downs.

These seven conditions are more than just concepts—they are the building blocks that help us thrive in today’s fast-paced, high-pressure demanding world.

Positive Resilience is about creating the right conditions for thriving at work and at home, even when life feels overwhelming. Let us support you/your organisation to navigate the pressures of today’s world. With the right tools and mindset, we can all thrive forward.

Let’s shift the conversation from just surviving to thriving in all areas of life!

 

Follow the link to find out more about Positive Resilience

Contact sales@peoplewise.com for any enquiries

  Written by Melissa Alwar, Senior Business Psychologist at Peoplewise