Resilience is our ability to adapt to the hard stuff – everyday stressors, grief, pain, psychological stress, traumatic events… It's the way we cope, and our ability to ‘bounce back’ from hardship.

Being resilient isn’t about sweeping your pain under the rug and avoiding difficult situations – and in reality, the most resilient people are those who have experienced major trauma but decide to continue showing up for themselves. 

While it can be painful, resilience is about having the courage to take inventory of your ‘stuff’, and instead of letting it define you – to choose a different perspective instead.

Being resilient won’t make you immune to shit hitting the fan, but it will give you the ability to see past these difficult times and the strength to work through them. It’s about realising that while there are so many things we can’t control, there are ways we can harness our own strength in the unknown and use it to keep moving forward!

While our resilience naturally enhances when we overcome challenges, there are many ways we can support ourselves in building inner strength and resilience.

5 ways to enhance your resilience:

Challenge your thoughts

Challenge the way you perceive your own reality -  Notice the way you talk to yourself, the stories you tell yourself and get curious about your beliefs and where they stem from. We’re often unknowingly playing the same unhelpful stories on repeat, which can significantly influence the way we cope with stressful situations.

Reinforce your why

Having a strong sense of your ‘why’ makes the bounce back a little easier. When you have a clear mission or purpose that feels really good for you, it's like an anchoring thought you can always come back to in times of uncertainty. It's okay to lose track of your why sometimes and your passion or motivation toward it might come and go - but getting clear about what it is that actually drives you is KEY.

Taking good care of your bod

Building resilience starts with the way we fuel our body! Specific foods that support our mental health and ability to cope with stress include foods rich in omega-3's, zinc, magnesium and B vitamins. 

The foundations are so important when it comes to strengthening our nervous system. When we get the foundations right, we’re much more equipped to cope with any challenges that may arise day to day.

Other nutrition basics to focus on include:

• Eating regularly and ENOUGH - if you're not fuelling yourself correctly, you'll be missing out on important nutrients required to help the body adapt to stress. 

• Ensuring meals are macro-balanced – Including a good source of protein, carbs and healthy fats with each meal. Balanced meals support balanced blood sugar levels, which play a huge role in our mood! High blood sugar levels are perceived as a huge stress on the body, encouraging a rise in stress hormones like cortisol. The ability to maintain stable blood sugar levels is a tool that's often overlooked when it comes to supporting stress and anxiety!

• Eating enough protein – protein in particular is super important for the function of our neurotransmitters, supporting our mood and encouraging balanced blood sugar levels. 

Herbal medicine

Along with our key nutrients, herbal medicine can be hugely beneficial in supporting our ability to cope in times of stress! 

Adaptogenic herbs like Rhodiola, Siberian ginseng and Withania (Ashwagandha) help the body adapt to stress of all kinds. Other herbs like Passionflower and Kava work to calm the nervous system, reducing anxiety and our reactivity to external stressors. 

Everyday rituals

Having rituals or routines in place provides a sense of certainty. When we commit to a specific routine everyday, it increases confidence and our ability to cope with unexpected challenges. Think morning or evening meditation, journaling, some form of movement or affirmation, whatever you commit to each day.