We’re living in unpredictable and uncertain times so we have to be equipped to handle sudden change, setbacks and disappointments – and that’s where resilience steps in.
While there is no magic bullet or quick fix to being a more resilient person there are key actions you can take to build that resilience muscle.
1. Jealously guard your physical health
Taking care of our physical selves is our very first step to bolstering resilience according to neuroscientific research. The state of our physical health directly impacts our mental health. The quality of our mental health determines our capacity to be more resilient. The pillars of physical health:
- Eat well
- Exercise regularly
- Make sure you get good sleep.
2. Manage your energy
Our bodies and brains were not meant to be slaves to work 24/7. Think about the word ‘recreation’: RE- create your vital energy! Take time doing the things you enjoy with the people you love. Taking that time allows you to re-create the energy you need on every level of your being providing you with the opportunity to refill the tank.
This is important because if you’re running on empty, your ability to be resilient when you need it the most will be compromised. You won’t have the emotional, physical or intellectual fortitude to push through.
A well rested person taking care of their energy will have all they need to respond to life’s challenges as they arise.
3. Practice being present in the moment
Be completely present with who you’re with and where you are and not preoccupied by distracting intrusive thoughts. This is more important that it sounds. Preoccupation dilutes your focus, takes you off your game and knocks your resilience around. Mindfulness meditation is a great way to practice being present in the moment.
4. Focus on what’s in your control
The greatest enemy of resilience is ruminating on things that you cannot control. A focus on the things outside of your control can invoke distress, anxiety, stress and feelings of helplessness and powerlessness.
Instead, ask yourself what is one thing I can do that IS within my control? Now, what’s another? And so on until you’re building real momentum.
5. Believe in your resilience!
Too often, we deceive ourselves that we can’t do something and focus on the times we fail rather than on the times that we’ve succeeded. The thing with this is that we get more of what we focus on.
Focus on your achievements, the times you did well, the times you were resilient and pushed through a challenging time. Tell yourself “I am a resilient person!”. The greater the focus, the more we believe it’s true, the more our neural pathways will align and create a resilience groove.
Embracing these five principles consistently and persistently will bolster your resilience.