Resilience is built by strengthening our own mental and emotional fitness so we can stand strong on our own should we ever need to (or at least have enough energy to keep treading water until assistance comes). Boost that fitness every day with these simple ideas.

Invest in yourself (that’s time, energy, love, praise…not just money!)

Whether that’s buying yourself a coffee just because you want one, or without even spending a penny - going further afield by taking time out to read something that stimulates your mind, or makes you feel relaxed – or even having a nap because you need one – that’s all serving to make you the best you when you get going again.

Cross something that you’ve been putting off, off your “to do” list

Just do it!! Honestly, just do it and see how great you feel when you can turn that page!!

If you can’t “find” time to do the “healthy thing” for you, can you “make” it?

I’m not expecting everyone to get up an hour earlier to get that exercise you’ve been “meaning to do” in, BUT are there moments of the day which can be better used? CAN you use the time making lunch to listen to a quick positive podcast; perhaps you can do some posture exercises while at your desk? If you’ve won back your commute, does that extra have to go into “more work”? A clearer mind, or a less painful body is likely to improve your effectiveness anyway!

Remember - nothing is wasted: REPURPOSE

Don’t delete if you can store. Even if you’ve cut chunks out of a report, save them in case they can be used in a different piece. They’ll already be written well!!

Flip feelings of “envy” to “reflected joy”

My favourite tip - and something I work at every day.

Rather than feel envious at someone else’s joy, see if you can flip the emotion to grabbing some of their positivity eg. I’m glad I’ve seen their happiness, I’ll use that vibe thank you very much!! That way instead of that image or post making you feel bad that they might have something you don’t (even if you didn’t really want it!!), you utilise that vibe of happiness to energise you to go out and focus on what you (actually) want!

Dr Audrey Tang is a chartered psychologist and author. Listen to her podcast Retrain Your Brain here; and catch her practical masterclasses Psych Back to Basics on DisruptiveTV & Energy Top Up for resilience.

For coaching tips and tools including positive psychology: click WORK WITH ME or SKILL PILL and here for Media appearances or Psych Q&A. Twitter/IG @draudreyt

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