BY DR. SAM REHNBORG GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
It’s a new year, and I just want to wish you a very happy one.
Last year placed a lot on our collective plates. Some people fared better than others. New research sheds some light onto how our lifestyle habits affect how we respond. Turns out, better psychological resilience – mental toughness – is directly linked to five lifestyle habits.
What is resilience?
For this study, researchers at the University of Arizona College of Medicine set out to identify key behaviors and other factors that may contribute to psychological resilience.
Resilience is a person’s perceived ability to cope in the face of adversity. To measure resilience, researchers asked more than 1,000 U.S. adults to complete a standardized questionnaire assessing their resilience, mental health, daily behaviors and relationships.
How to be resilient: 5 key lifestyle habits
Study results point to five specific lifestyle habits that predict resilience. And the more habits people employed, the better their resilience. Here’s the breakdown on the five habits that predict better resilience:
1. People who go outside more often are more resilient.
I put this one at the top of my list of feel-good habits. I’ve talked about my love of nature walks in other posts, and how university researchers in Finland completed a national survey to find that this one type of outdoor activity has the greatest impact on emotional well-being.
It’s one reason why, when I need a serious pick-me-up to boost my mood, I head to the nearest nature trail. (Read more on the benefits of nature in Forest bathing: The physical and mental benefits of nature.)
2. People who are active are more resilient.
Exercise has always been a sort of magic elixir for me because of its amazing ability to wipe away stress, not to mention its ability to boost mood, improve sleep and generally enhance all aspects of living.
Although exercise has always been part of my life, my activities have changed as I’ve aged. Walking and hiking, which are more forgiving on my knee joints, have replaced the marathon running of my younger years.
Today, Francesca and I generally take a walk in the morning and another one in the afternoon. Of course, my morning Pilates routine helps my old joints stay as limber as possible. (Read more on the benefits of movement in 5 mood-boosting benefits of exercise.)
3. People who stay socially connected are more resilient.
Other researchers agree with this important habit. In one study, university researchers in Europe report that greater social connectedness is associated with lower levels of perceived stress, as well as fewer worries in general.
In short, strong social ties are especially important in times of adversity to promote resilience and mental health. (Learn more by reading Social health: Friends and family can make all the difference.)
4. People who sleep better are more resilient.
If you’re like me, you know all too well that refreshing feeling of getting a good night’s sleep. You greet the new day with energy, a clear mind and positive mood. It’s something we could all use more of these days.
A growing body of research points to the wide range of health benefits of a good night’s sleep, including brain health, immune function, weight management, blood sugar regulation, and much more. Now, we can add mental resilience in the face of adversity. (Need sleep tips? Read 7 tips for getting a better night’s sleep.)
5. People who have a spiritual outlook are more resilient.
A spiritual outlook may provide comfort and strength that can help ease anxiety and promote a more positive outlook. It can also provide moments of stress-reducing mindfulness and meditation, two emerging habits to fortify resilience.
For me, I like to meditate daily while doing my morning stretches. I have a phrase that I say when I meditate or when I’m out walking in nature. The phrase is, “As I think, I am.” I return to this phrase often for inspiration to not only become a better person, but to be more resilient.
The bottom line
If you want to be more resilient in the weeks and months ahead, you may benefit from putting one, two or more of these lifestyle habits into practice. Go outside more, be more active, stay socially connected, get restful sleep and engage in a spiritual activity.
Your reward could be the feeling of resilience you need to face today’s challenges. Let’s ring in the New Year with a little more resilience, each day. Stay healthy!
To read Dr. Sam’s full blog on resiliency, visit drsamsblog.com. And to learn more about the Nutrilite brand, visit Amway.com or Amway.ca.
Dr. Sam Rehnborg is the son of Carl Rehnborg, who founded the Nutrilite™ brand in 1934. Dr. Sam held many roles with the company over the years and now is president of the Nutrilite Health Institute. His passion is helping people achieve their potential through healthy living. You can learn more about him and read all his blogs at drsamsblog.com. Or, have them delivered to your inbox by subscribing to the RSS feed.
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