First Two Steps to Creating Resilience

Some stress is inevitable — wishing for a life where we feel zero stress is just going to add more stress.

But if we are flooded with stress, removing some of it can help us to clear the space to create even more resilience. If we don’t remove the extra stress, we’ll never do the things we need to take care of ourselves, or to train our minds to be more resilient.

So removing unnecessary stress is the first step.

Some examples:

• If you’re drinking a lot, reduce down to 1-2 glasses of wine a night. Zero might be even better for some, but it’s useless to ask someone to quit alcohol when they’re flooded with stress.
• Similarly, reducing smoking or other narcotics or drugs would be a big help.
• If you’re working late into the night, creating a stopping point earlier would be a big help, if possible.
• Cut back on your workload a bit, if you’re able to.
• Stop saying yes to everything, and take fewer meetings.
• If you’re fighting a lot with someone, refrain for a bit. Take a breather and let yourself settle.
• If you’re watching things or playing games late into the night and getting little sleep, cut back on that.
• If you’re watching news or reading things online that really get you angry, stop that for awhile.
• Cut out social media if that gets you anxious.

And so on.

Removing these stressors will help you catch your breath.