Modern life may be comfy, but comfort can make us soft. The good news? Resilience is trainable—and it doesn’t have to hurt. Let’s explore simple, feel-good ways to toughen up body and mind.
Let’s face it – for better or for worse, life is now easier. Especially if you live in the West, this means that people no longer have the physical or mental fortitude they used to have, which is not exactly great. Having physical and mental resilience helps you break past barriers in just about every area of your life with sheer determination. Here is the good news: much like the gladiators of old (sans all the death and mayhem) – mental and physical resilience can be built into some surprisingly simple and even enjoyable relaxation techniques. Let’s look at some of those, shall we?
The Refreshing Cold Plunge
Ready to dive in? Cold exposure is next level! Whether you’re trying a cold plunge, cold shower, or ice bath, cold water immersion is amazing. It increases circulation, decreases inflammation, and puts you in a mood like no other! Plus, it feels so good to do something that seems incredibly brave. You’ll be shocked at how quickly you feel amazing again!
Mindful Breathing
Breathe in…Breathe out! Mindful breathing is amazing to find your center. You’ll have a clearer mind, have less anxiety, and feel more positive. All you need is a quiet space, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. In a few minutes, you really will feel the weight of the world lifted from your shoulders. It’s so simple but yet so powerful!
Nature Walks
There is something so healing about nature! Just by going for a walk outside, you can improve your mood with the fresh air, trees, and the sound of birds chirping. Not only does it make you feel better, but it gives you a good workout. A double win! Build the physical body, build the emotional body! Don’t forget to take a few pictures to look back on the view later!
Laughter Yoga
Who says you can’t relax and have fun? Laughter yoga combines laughter with yogic breathing. Get the heart rate up with some laughter and fun with friends or other laughter enthusiasts. A great way to reduce stress and increase endorphins. Do it in a group to all share the good energy together!
Gratitude Journaling
Gratitude is a superpower! And the daily habit of maintaining a gratitude journal can boost your mental resilience like none other. Spend a couple of minutes noting down what you are grateful for. Instantly, it’ll reshuffle your focus from what’s not there/what’s less to what you already have and that’s so huge, thus creating a positivity loop. After practicing for some time, you’ll realize your gratitude and resilience are directly proportional!
Guided Visualization
Close your eyes and visualize you are in a quiet place with a mild breeze and sun. Guided visualization is a powerful technique to create a safe, more productive mental space using our imagination. Sit down in a relaxed posture, find a video or audio track, and even you can find a guided practice for free. When you practice this, your stress gets reduced, enhances focus, and creative problem-solving areas. That’s like a mini retreat to your brain folks!
Building Up Your Mental and Physical Resilience The Simple and Enjoyable Way
Unlike the gladiators of Rome, who had to go through what can only be described as hell to build up that mental and physical fortitude, you can build your resilience in a simple and even enjoyable way. With the handy dandy and tips in this guide – you will find yourself stronger and able to tackle whatever comes your way in no time!
