Resilient: Book 2 Post 2

As I continued to read Resilient by Dr. Rick Hanson, I gained valuable insights into how to grow a resilient mindset. I chose this book because I have always been drawn to self-help books, and this one seemed applicable to my everyday life in managing stress levels in my everyday life. Overall, I enjoyed the book very much and thought it provided practical tips on how to build a resilient mindset, using science-backed evidence related to our central nervous system and dopamine levels. It serves as an important reminder that we are always in charge of our mindset. By strengthening our mental resources, we are able to shift our perspective on our life’s challenges and find a sense of inner-strength.

One of the key takeaways for me was Hanson’s emphasis on self-compassion. In order to be kind to others, be truly motivated, or handle obstacles with resilience, we first must be kind to ourselves. When we guide ourselves with compassion rather than criticism, we are able pursue opportunities with greater confidence and motivation. Practicing self-compassion builds inner-strength, allowing us to navigate challenges with resilience. I also valued Hanson’s lesson on mindfulness, as he encourages us to listen to our needs and take refuge in self-care practices. By dedicating time to ourselves and recognizing our needs, we can maintain resilience.  

Hanson also explores the link between mental and physical health, explaining how positive emotions, such as gratitude and compassion, can support our immune system and overall well-being. This relationship between mind and body illustrates how powerful these mental resources are in handling adversity, not only impacting our mental resilience but also improving our physical health. By implementing practices like mindfulness and gratitude, we are able to strengthen our mental resources and resilience, better equipping us to handle adversity with strength and calmness. I appreciate Hanson’s view of “resilience” as something we are actively building, by learning from past experiences and looking ahead. I would recommend Resilient to anyone that is looking to better manage their stress levels and improve their mindset, as it provides useful strategies to approach challenges with resilience.


Comments

  1. StefanOctober 31, 2024 at 4:33 PM

    Well done, Bella! I really enjoyed your book review. It seems as though this would be a great read for a large variety of people. When feeling down, I sometimes struggle to find ways to pick myself back up. I will definitely consider giving Resilient a read. Good work, Bella!

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  2. Alex Ster Writ 340November 2, 2024 at 4:11 PM

    I completely agree with the author and your main takeaway about the strength in the connection between the mind and the body. I actually completed a mind and body studies minor and have learned just how important it is that we learn to manage stress, anxiety, and overall mental health at an early age because they have long term affects on our physical health. Sounds like it is a great book to check out!

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  3. Araz MehrabiNovember 2, 2024 at 8:02 PM

    Great thoughts! I like how you point out that being kind to ourselves helps us be stronger. It's interesting that you mention how good feelings can boost our health. Thanks for sharing what you learned from the book!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tara 340November 3, 2024 at 5:04 PM

    Hi Bella, I'm also reading "Resilient" and really connected with your reflection on self-compassion - it was actually something I initially struggled with, as I tend to hold myself to extremely high standards. Like you, I found the neuroscience behind these practices crucial, as understanding the physical impact on our brain and body made these concepts feel more concrete and actionable rather than just theoretical. Your point about resilience being something we actively build resonates with what I took from the Grit chapter, where I learned the importance of taking action rather than letting things happen to us. Isn't it interesting how the book manages to be both practical and deeply reflective at the same time?
    Cheers, Tara

    ReplyDelete
  5. AvosNovember 4, 2024 at 8:09 AM

    Hello Bella, I also agree with the kindest point you made. You can not always be down on yourself, and you should try to reinforce yourself with kind thoughts and positivity instead of obsessing over the negative thoughts you may have. Cool to see that you found the same idea from reading this book.

    ReplyDelete

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