Shelli Stein
  • About
    • Shelli’s Story
    • My Approach to Health
    • My Philosophy
    • Rave Reviews
    • Contact Shelli
    • Support
  • Services
    • Skype Coaching Menu
    • Habit Coaching
    • Health and Wellness Articles
    • Nutritional Coaching
    • Pain Relief/Z-Health
    • Running Made Easy
    • Personal Training
    • Yoga
  • Longevity
    • Why Brain Health is Important
    • Supplements for Longevity
    • Brain Health Books
    • Blinkist
    • Brain Health and Better Habits Articles
    • Best Activities for Brain Health
    • Brain Foods and Brain Health Nutrition
  • Products
    • Bioedge Science Supplements
    • NOVOS Supplements
    • Booking Travel The Shelli Stein Way
    • Earn Free Flights and Hotel Stays
    • Healthy Living Essentials
    • Recommended Supplements
    • Travel Resources
    • Looking For A New Credit Card, Miles or Points?
    • Shelli’s Books
    • Recommended People
    • Book Summaries
    • Blinkist
  • Travel
    • About Shelli’s Travel Writing
    • Booking Travel The Shelli Stein Way
    • Travel Hacking: How to Earn Free Flights and Free Hotel Stays
    • Looking For A New Credit Card, Miles or Points?
    • Travel Resources
    • What Is Travel Hacking?
    • Getting Started in the Miles and Points World
    • FICO Fundamentals: Understanding Your Credit Score
    • Miles and Points 101
    • Understanding Credit Cards
  • Newsletters
  • Blog

Resilient People

This article was published on: 11/21/09 9:26 PM

Posted on .
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Hello friends, and
welcome to this month’s Joyinmovement newsletter.
I continue to be
fascinated by topics like motivation, success, and resiliency.
Resiliency, in particular, has been on my mind lately, so I decided to
give it closer attention. As we wind down 2009 and start to look back
and notice what kind of year we’ve had, I think a good question to ask
ourselves is have we demonstrated resiliency? If not, why, and how can
we be more resilient in years to come?
There
can be many different definitions of resiliency, but let’s keep it
simple. Being resilient means being able to rebound quickly from a
crisis or trauma. 
While
we might all tend to fall apart after a crisis or trauma, resilient
people don’t fall apart for long. They call forth their inner strength.
They also use resources outside themselves and keep moving forward. They
understand they have a new reality, and reset their future expectations
with this in mind. Whether it’s a financial blow, the loss of a loved
one, or any of the other life changing possibilities we all go through,
they are able to re-calibrate and bounce back, acting like trees bending
in the wind. They withstand the bend without breaking.
After
doing some research I found that scientists agree that resilience
varies from person to person and that it has a genetic component.
They’re finding that certain genes may protect you against the
“emotional back draft” of trauma. Yet, resiliency, is after all, a
behavior, and so it can be learned. And there are indeed common
qualities that resilient people share. These qualities CAN be cultivated
to help you handle any crisis, so let’s take a closer look. I think we
can all use some reinforcement and practice for those resiliency
muscles!
1.
Resilient people stay connected. They muster their inner strength AND
also rely on others. We all help “save” each other. In one study I
looked at, caregivers who reported having good social support scored
higher on measures of quality of life and well-being. They were better
able to GIVE care because they in turn felt cared for by others.
2.
Resilient people are optimistic. If you have a brighter outlook on life,
you’ll do better at managing crisis when it comes along. When you can
attribute positive meaning to what you’re going through, it ascribes
meaning to the experience and perhaps you’ll be less likely to feel
depressed or stressed. If you lack a “glass half-full” viewpoint, you
can change your negative thinking by changing your mindset. The first
step? Observe the spin you put on your own experiences. Then you can
begin to frame situations in a more positive light.
3.
Resilient people are spiritual. While this is a general statement,
people who have a spiritual practice do tend to get through difficult
times better than those who don’t. If you’re interested in this aspect
of resiliency, take a look at the book The Resiliency
Advantage 
by Al Siebert.
4.
Resilient people are playful. They can enjoy themselves like children.
They laugh easily and are able to experience wonder. Anyone for a game
of hopscotch or a hike through the woods catching butterflies?
5.
Resilient people give back. Research shows that people who help others
live longer. When you give to others YOU derive benefit as well.
6.
Resilient people pick their battles. I really think this is a key one!
Recognize and focus on things over which you have influence. Notice I
didn’t say “control”. Influence is a much more useful and truthful word,
in this case. Whether you wallow in anger or fear, or move on, is up to
you. You can refocus your energy and use it in empowering ways.
7.
Resilient people stay healthy. Were you wondering where Joyinmovement
fit with resiliency? Here it is! Eating well and getting regular
physical activity are essential buffers for stress. There are neurons in
your brain that are susceptible to stress and exercise helps repair
them. Be good to yourself. This will help you give care as well as take
care from others.
8.
Resilient people find the silver lining. Maybe even the gold one!
Convert misfortune into fortune and gain strength from those times of
adversity. There is always something we can learn. You can better
yourself and often the world as well. I read one article that used the
term “post-traumatic GROWTH syndrome” and I liked this spin on words. 
If
you’re interested, send me an email and I’ll forward you a How Resilient
Are You rating scale. It will be good to see where you’re starting
from.
I
hope a deeper discussion of resiliency has meaning for you. For all of
us, 2009 has packed quite a wallop. I know for myself, when I learn more
about topics like resiliency and then put to good use what I learn, I
feel better about my own experiences and find it easier to make a
difference in my Joyinmovement world!
Until
next month, when I’ll have a really enlightening interview for you all
about chi stagnation (trust me, it’ll be a great one to end the year
on)……….
Yours
in health,

shelli
×

Comments are closed.

Use promo code SHELLISTEIN to save 10%

GOT BRAIN FOG?

You can eliminate it! Shelli offers tips and easy action steps to help you get rid of that foggy feeling.

Shelli’s NEW ebook

FIGHTING BRAIN FOG

Click Here to Learn More

Don’t Miss Another Newsletter Issue! Sign Up Now.

© 2025 Shelli Stein :: Blog :: How To Travel The World For Free :: Brain Fitness