The American Psychological Association explains that resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficult or challenging life experiences through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment. When life throws its curve balls, resilience is what helps us thrive in spite of them. While some of us are born more resilient than others, we can all get better at practicing it. All of our strengths help us cope with stress as we face it. By choosing and practicing behaviors, actions, and attitudes that make us stronger, instead of struggling with others that make us weaker, we can grow our resilience. Amit Sood, MD, executive director of the Global Center for Resiliency and Well-Being and creator of Resilient Option for EVERYDAY HEALTH, explains how to become more resilient in his 20 tips mentioned below:
1. For minor annoyances, ask yourself: “Will it matter in five years?” If not, it perhaps is not worth disturbing your peace today over it.
2. Give no one the power to lower your self-worth. Believe in those who believe in you. Look at yourself with the eyes of those around you who accept and love you unconditionally.
3. At least one time weekly spend quality time with someone who inspires you.
4. Research shows that volunteering is associated with better emotional and physical health. It has even been discovered to improve one’s longevity.
5. Think of the larger purpose of your life. Live your days to help fulfill that sense of purpose.
6. Be honest with yourself and embrace your vulnerability. Accept the fact that it’s okay to feel sad occasionally.
7. Understand that most people are struggling in their own way. Feel free to give forgiveness.
8. Be kind, especially to yourself. Kindness is a proof of strength, not weakness.
9. Lower your threshold to feel grateful. Be grateful for a deep breath, the smile on a loved one’s face, the taste of water, the smell of coffee.
10. Instead of fighting what can’t be controlled, work with your own creativity: writing, dance, art.
11. Make a “not-to-do list” to keep your days positive and light, alive, and humming.
12. Feel connected with nature. Spend time “smelling the roses” as you notice birds, trees, clouds, lakes, and rivers.
13. If you are having a difficult day, consider “scheduling your worries,” instead of letting worries upset your entire day.
14. Read great books and watch inspiring movies.
15. Sleep at least 7 to 8 hours each night. To be awake is human; to sleep is divine!
16. Aim for at least 15 minutes of deep breathing and other forms of meditation on most days.
17. Avoid prolonged sitting.
18. Do optimize the dose of news you receive each day. For each headline that disturbs you, read something that inspires you or helps boost your well-being.
19. Leave the dining table a little hungry.
20. Make time to nurture your spirituality as you integrate it into your life.
