The time to build your strength is when you are young. Studies of older people show that having good coping skills (resiliency) makes for happier and more successful living. It also reduces your risk of depression and drug and alcohol abuse. The patterns we build now will guide us in the future. Having a good experience coping with misfortune when we are young gives us strength for the challenges to come. Older adults, who can look back at having overcome something early in life, are more successful at coping.