Top Ten Tips for Resilience Mastery

Resilience or our ability to bounce back is directly linked to our resources and resourcefulness. Resilient people generally have built habits that keep them flexible and strong when times get tough. When we train people in resilience we focus on the importance of this and encourage the creation of these habits in order to protect against particularly stressful times.

Our top ten list gives you something to think about to help you gain mastery.

Be prepared - Understand the physiology of traumatic stress, how it works in your nervous system and symptoms (ask your organisation to provide the Human Resilience 'Resilience First Aid Cards'!)
Develop a Resilience Replay resource. Remember a time when you felt calm, relaxed, happy or whatever emotional state you want to connect with. For a total Resilience Replay to that time, create a 3d image of this in your mind remembering, images, feelings, smells… it’s all in the details! Try to find a photograph or something that reminds you of that time and place and make a diary note to replay that memory every day for 3 weeks.
Pay attention to what you like to do and make sure to create time each week for one or two activities or hobbies that give you pleasurable feelings.
Remember a time when you got through a difficult situation and write down all the things that helped you including… personal qualities, life experience, people, behaviours, thoughts etc.
Identify your Resilience Boosting People… these are the people who feel great to be around they may be people that support you, motivate you, inspire you…
Develop an Internal Resilience Coach this can be anyone you admire e.g Humphrey Bogart was Woody Allen’s internal coach in the movie “Play it Again Sam”. How about Nelson Mandela, Madonna, your aunt, a parent or anyone who you can imagine talking to you in a positive way… What is the one statement you can imagine them saying to you?
Create a Resilience Reminder Statement that works for you e.g. “I am doing really well” or “I’m a survivor and I’ll get through this”. Then remember to use it. (For a really powerful version combine this with your internal Resilience Coach)
Physical exercise helps not just because it’s healthy or something you ‘should’ do, but also because it’s a fantastic way of supporting your resilience. During difficult or stressful times, we suggest that people connect with their bodies … building musculature in your body helps to create a very important internal support structure.
Create a Resilience Sound Track… (remember the shrink in Ally McBeal? She was using audio resources!) What’s the one song or piece of music that really helps you feel calm, strong or positive inside? Put that on your MP3 player and listen at least 3 times a week!
Flexibility is a really important aspect of resilience, so come up with one thing each month you would like to change or try something different e.g. try drinking a different tea or making a change in your route to work.