What is resilience?
The ability to overcome adversity and recover, or “bounce back” from failure quicker. It’s what gives us the psychological strength for coping with emotional distress. Being more resilient can reduce the risk of depression and help improve our happiness. Emotional resilience is not simply a quality that some people have or don’t have, although it does come more naturally to some than others. There are proven mental strategies that can help us to be more resilient to life’s hardships.
1. Keeping physically fit is a proven way to improve emotional resilience
Physical fitness is a key component of resilience.[1][2] We are able to withstand prolonged stress better when we are physically fitter. Physical fitness not only improves physical health and self-esteem, but also reduces anxiety and risk of depression. It also helps to improve the health of the brain by increasing levels of neurotrophic factors.
What to do: If you are just starting out with a fitness routine, walking for as little as 20 minutes a day will help you be more resilient. If you are already physically fit and want to take it to another level, try participating in a tougher physical activity like kickboxing.
