5 proven tools for boosting resilience

Taking care of your mental health is often easier said than done. These proven methods are a great place to start:

1. Take care of your health

Start by eating healthily and avoiding junk foods; there are so many options to choose from that are healthy and tasty! Being active by going for walks is a wonderful way to get your blood pumping, take in the scenery, and catch a breath of fresh air. How about heading for a stroll first thing in the morning or even squeezing a 20-minute walk into your lunch break? Cardiovascular exercise improves your mood and sleep while benefiting the function of every organ system in your body. Regular exercise leads to a healthier body and a healthier mind.

2. Put your best foot forward 

“Life is like riding a bicycle. You have to keep moving to stay upright.” Start each day by striving to be a better you than you were yesterday. Some days will be better than others, but more often than not, when you try to have a good day, you will. Have the courage to try new things and embrace the things that you are passionate about. There is no use in worrying about what others think of you or how they might judge you - do the things that make you, you. There is always something new to enjoy and enrich yourself with. All you have to do is find it. 

3. Celebrate the small wins

It is easy to lose sight of your progress when working towards an ambitious goal - the finish-line always seems so far away. Demotivation and apathy are sure to follow unless you recognise and celebrate your small achievements along the way. Incremental achievements (when noted) can improve your overall satisfaction and engagement with a task, improving productivity and performance. Every small step forward brings the finish-line closer.

4. Have the courage to connect with people

It is proven that connecting with people can relieve stress and anxiety. A compelling study on human connection found that 71% of people turn to friends and family for support in times of stress. Humans are social beings and in a post-lockdown world, we need connection more than ever. When you go out for your next walk, greet the people you see with a smile and spread your joy. You may receive some blank responses, but the effects of your positivity are immeasurable. Learn your local barista's name and find out a bit more about them every time you head in for your caffeine fix - you never know what positive influence your new connection might have on your life. 

5. Be mindful, be positive

Practising mindfulness takes dedication, but the results of being in the present moment are worth the effort. Take a moment to focus on your breathing or to meditate. Appreciating your surroundings and what you have is far more valuable than wishing your time away and dreaming of what you do not have. Gaining a perspective and a better understanding of life around you is proven to improve your mental health. A wonderful way to start noting your appreciation is by starting a gratitude journal (read more in our dedicated article). Everyone fails from time to time, draw the positives from every experience (if you can) and build on them rather than harbouring resentment. Forgiveness and the ability to move forward - although often difficult - have been shown to reduce tension, depression and anxiety.

Take care of yourself, just one step at a time.

References:

7 ways cardiovascular fitness can be beneficial 
10 proven tools can help you feel stronger and more hopeful 
The power of small wins 
What are the benefits of mindfulness?