Your life will be filled with constant ups and downs, but that shouldn’t keep you from being happy. Instead of letting negative things get you down, work toward becoming a more resilient person. Try to be someone who doesn’t fear the unknown or worry about things outside of their control. Easier said than done, right? While becoming more resilient won’t happen overnight, there are things you can put in place to help you in your journey. Here are six tips to becoming more resilient:
1. Be Proactive
Have you heard the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”? Resilient people are mentally tough. And that’s because they don’t let setbacks get them down for long. They proactively turn those obstacles into learning experiences and keep moving forward.
The truth of the matter is, bad things are going to happen. Chances are, they may have already happened. Maybe you got fired from your job or diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection, like herpes.
While getting bad news is scary, it’s important to find opportunities to improve your situation, rather than giving up. That might mean updating your resume and looking for another job or starting genital herpes treatment. What matters most is that you learn from the things that happen to you and grow from them.
2. Stop Negative Thoughts
Your thoughts control everything that you do, which isn’t necessarily a good thing. While some thoughts can be happy, others are negative and can be harmful to your mental health.
A negative thought is usually a criticism of yourself or your surroundings. While they might seem true, negative thoughts are typically born out of fears or anxieties. Meaning, you shouldn’t listen to them. Unfortunately, many of us do, which can make life difficult. To live more resiliently, stop the cycle of your negative thoughts.
A good way to start is by practicing mindfulness. Make sure you’re aware of when you’re having negative thoughts, and then do your best to replace them with positive ones. This takes practice, but it’s worth taking the time to do so.
3. Take Care Of Yourself
If you want to become more resilient, it’s important to take care of yourself. And not just your physical health, but your mental health as well.
When was the last time you went to the doctor? How long has it been since you exercised? It’s crucial you make time for these things, as they make you stronger. The stronger you are, the more capable you’ll be to cope with life as it happens.
When it comes to taking care of your mental health, do things that make you feel calm. For example, maybe you enjoy cooking or reading a book. If so, make time for these things throughout your week. And don’t be afraid to reach out if you need help. Many people struggle with their mental health, despite doing everything they can. If that’s happening, contact a professional.
4. Seek New Experiences
A great way to become more resilient is by putting yourself in new situations. Whether that’s traveling to a different part of the world or meeting new people, it’s important to expand your horizons.
As you probably know, it’s all too easy to hit a plateau and end up feeling complacent in your life. To keep this from happening, keep yourself on your toes by switching up your day-to-day.
Chances are, there are a few things you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t tried yet. For example, maybe you want to change careers or visit a new city. Both examples put you in a different environment and surround you with new people, helping you become more resilient.
5. Don’t Fight Change
The thing about life is that it’s always changing. No matter who you are or what you do, you’ll go through ups and downs. Instead of fighting against change, work on trying to accept it.
Resilient people accept things as they come. And not because those things are always easy to accept. It’s because they know there’s no other choice. Instead of fearing the unknown or letting it drag them down, they let life happen and adapt. While this might sound easy, it’s not.
First, you have to admit you don’t know everything or always have control over what happens to you. Then, you respond by focusing on the aspects of your life that you can control.
6. Set Goals
Do you know where you want to be in five years? How about in one year? While it can be scary to set goals, it helps give your life purpose. Instead of just existing, you’ll have something to work toward. Not to mention, achieving your goals will probably make you feel better about yourself.
To set goals, start by figuring out what you want. It’s a good idea to reflect on your professional and personal life. For example, maybe you want to get promoted in the next year and married in the next five. Go ahead and write those goals down. Then, make plans to achieve them. That might mean working harder at work and downloading a dating app to help you meet eligible singles.
It’s important to remember that your goals don’t have to be huge. In fact, they should be simple and obtainable, so there’s a good chance you’ll succeed.
The more resilient you are, the better your life will be. Instead of stressing and worrying about things you can’t control, you’ll learn to accept the bad with the good. The tips above are just a few practices you should put in place to build your resilience.
