How to increase your emotional resilience

**Foster optimism: Don’t be in denial. **See the world clearly but believe in your abilities.

Face your fears: Hiding from fear makes it worse. Face it and you overcome it.

Have a moral compass: A strong feeling of right and wrong tells us we must when we feel we can’t.

Practice spirituality: Be a part of a group that has strong beliefs.

Give and receive social support: Tapping on the wall of your cell can keep you going.

Imitate resilient role models: Or have people you know you do not want to be.

Physical fitness: Exercise adapts your body to stress.

Be a lifelong learner: Keep your brain sharp and it will give you solutions when you need them most.

Have a number of ways to cope: Be like Navy SEALs and Special Forces operators — and laugh.

Have meaning in your life: Don’t just do a job; have a calling and a purpose.