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In this turbulent world, we all need to practice resilience. Some people are naturally resilient, but most of us aren’t. Stressful situations can overwhelm us. Fear not – here are some of my favorite exercises to practice resilience:

Understand Resilience

Resilience is our ability to bounce back from adversity. How do we respond to challenges? Do we rise to the occasion or do we stay down after the fall?

The most resilient social leaders I know adapt to change really well. They keep their end goals in sight as they navigate their new circumstances. They see setbacks where others see failure.

Resilience is about coping with a setback, putting it in perspective and adapting to a new reality. So, we must build our ability to do those 3 things: cope, gain perspective and adapt.

The American Psychological Association (APA) has published a wonderful resource on this subject. Read it for greater insight.

Do a “Resilient Me” Exercise

Ask yourself “when was I at my most resilient?”. Try to identify what contributed to your ability to bounce back at that moment. Which traits did you exhibit? What were your coping mechanisms? Think how you can bring this experience to the present.

Inventory your Non-Negotiables

Being resilient requires us to adapt to changing circumstances. Thus, it’s important to know the things we are unwilling to modify. For example, my integrity is a non-negotiable for me. What are your non-negotiables?

Practice Going with the Flow

Less resilient people tend to like control. So, practice giving it up in every day situations. See this as a chance to explore the unknown in a fun way. Go out to lunch with a friend and ask them to order for you. Have your family organize a surprise day trip. Go to a get-together where you don’t know anyone. If someone at work suggests a different path, consider it. Resilience and adaptability go hand-in-hand.

Bolster your Healthy Coping Habits

We all cope with adversity differently. What are your coping habits? Are they destructive (ie. self-medication, etc.) or constructive (like meditation)? Build your healthiest coping mechanisms into your routine. For example, walking and sleeping 8 hours a night help me process stress. Therefore, they are part of my daily life.

Practice Perspective

Putting adversity into context helps us move forward. This can be tough, since major setbacks can feel like the end of the world. So, we should do perspective checks often. Practice this every day, in every type of situation. Ask yourself: “What does this situation mean in my life? How does it affect me as a person? Will this impact my quality of life a month or a year from now? Do I still have a lot to be grateful for? What can I do to make tomorrow better?”.

Remember, you can become better at anything through practice. This includes skills, as well as attributes, such as resilience.

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