5 Habits of Emotionally & Mentally Resilient People

by Jennifer Parmelee, yoga teacher and part of the Live Well / Stay Well Program at Tournesol Wellness

Our emotions and our mind are one. When we feel good it is easy for us to think positively and when we feel bad it is just as easy for our minds to recognize the uncomfortable feelings we have and to create an inner mental turbulence. We can change our minds so that our emotions mirror our thoughts. Too many times we are told that we should not think negatively, or have dark thoughts and feelings. Our emotions are symbiotic to what it is we are thinking and therefore we cannot feel without our thoughts. It is our responsibility to learn about the power we have within and to use it to help change our realities and become resilient beings living blessed lives.

Emotionally and mentally resilient people allows themselves to feel all of their feelings without judgments, and then they use the tools that they have to adjust their mindset accordingly. Even if the person does not feel wonderful instantaneously, they never let go of trusting that they eventually will.

Compassion is the First Key!

Emotionally and mentally resilient people know that life is difficult at times and in order to carry on, one must have tools and a bit of faith.

Change a Negative to a Positive

Emotionally and mentally resilient people know that the moment a negative thought surfaces, one must replace it with something positive.

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat!

Emotionally and mentally resilient people know that you must repeat the previous exercise all of the time until it becomes a habit, until it becomes how you live your life. Then not only does your mind change, but your heart follows.

Communicate with Yourself

Emotionally and mentally resilient people know that they have to be true to what they are feeling. The only way you know what you are truly feeling is by investigating. Writing in a journal, talking to yourself in a mirror, listening during your meditations to what your highest self is encouraging, and trusting your voice are all a part of the journey into becoming resilient.

Find your People

We all must take the responsibility at some time or another to scan our life and see if the people who are in it mirror our beliefs and who we want to be. If we constantly feel insecure, unsure, unstable, and unkind, then here is an invitation to clean the slate and cultivate new and uplifting relationships. Emotionally and mentally reliant people know that our interactions with others either make us feel great or bring us down and it is up to us to determine who we spend our precious time with. Find those that put a smile in your heart and ease your mind.

Jennifer Parmelee has been a devoted practitioner and teacher of yoga for over 25 years. She is a Certified Dona Doula, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified Lactation Counselor, Calm Birth Teacher Trainer, Certified Farm Midwifery Assistant, and Mother. She is the author of Petal by Petal – The Flowering Self: A Healing Chakra Journey, and created the Yoga CD, Sit Within Yourself: A Healing Chakra Guided Meditation. She teaches and attends births in New York City, while facilitating yoga teacher trainings and providing pre-natal, restorative, and chakra-gemstone healing workshops.