How to be Resilient

Resilience is a key trait we all need to get through life. No one has it easy all the time and we need to be able to bounce back from pain or adversity—or ideally stay standing no matter what life throws our way. One of my favourite quotes on resiliency if form the indomitable Sylvia Bornstein “The mind is tofu, it tastes like whatever you marinate it in.” Basically how you respond to an issue—is the issue. I recently put together my “Top 10” list of how to gain resiliency based on what the research is currently showing and on experience. Here it is:

Resilience Top 10

1.Get your priorities straight—self, partner, children, friends and family, then job

2.Take care of yourself exercise, diet, sleep

3.Manage your energy not your time—learn to say no

4.Practice kindness, compassion and gratitude – resilience is a direct outcome

5.Turn the stress response off—learn and use at least one simple technique

6.Focus on the issue in front of you—not what happened before or what might happen in the future

7.Focus on inputs—you don’t control outcomes

8.Notice the positive---savour it and then remember 2X in the next hour

9.Be happy--focus on gratitude, connection to others, and meaning in your life

10.Acknowledge when you are upset—accept it is difficult, scary or painful. Accept it is happening. Accept yourself in this moment and be kind to yourself.