7 habits of people who can handle whatever life throws at them, according to psychology

For years, I felt like a punching bag for life’s curveballs.

You know what I mean:

• Unexpected setbacks
• Heartbreaking losses
• Days when everything that could go wrong, did.

And through it all, I desperately wanted to be one of those people who could handle whatever life threw at them with grace and resilience.

My rock bottom hit about 3 years ago. I was struggling in my role as Hack Spirit founder, feeling overwhelmed by the unpredictability of life, and frankly – I was not handling it well.

During that time, I was constantly stressed, losing sleep, and lost in a sea of negative thoughts.

I felt out of control, like I was just passively riding the waves of life rather than actively navigating them.

The turning point? Discovering the 7 habits of people who successfully handle life’s challenges, backed by psychology.

In this article, I’m going to share these habits with you. As a psychology enthusiast, these insights have been game-changing for me.

So let’s dive in.

1. Embracing change

The first habit I discovered that resilient people have in common is their ability to embrace change.

For a long time, I resisted change like it was the enemy. I clung to what was familiar and comfortable, even when it wasn’t making me happy.

But here’s the thing: life is all about change. It’s the one constant we can count on. And the people who handle life’s ups and downs the best? They don’t just accept change – they embrace it.

Embracing change means seeing it as an opportunity for growth, rather than a threat. It means being flexible and adaptable, rather than rigid and stuck in your ways.

In psychology, this is known as having an ‘openness to experience’, and it’s one of the five key traits associated with resilience and mental toughness.

So how can you cultivate this habit? Start small. Try a new food, take a different route to work, or switch up your daily routine in some way.

The goal is to get comfortable with the unfamiliar, so that when bigger changes come along, you’re better equipped to handle them.

Remember: life isn’t about avoiding change, but learning how to navigate it.

2. Practicing gratitude

The second habit that I uncovered in my research and personal exploration is practicing gratitude.

For years, I was so focused on what was going wrong in my life, I completely overlooked the things that were going right.

But then, I stumbled upon a quote by the renowned psychologist, Martin Seligman: “Gratitude can turn common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”

This quote really resonated with me. I decided to try it out, and began a simple daily practice of writing down three things I was grateful for.

Some days it was big things, like a promotion at Hack Spirit or a compliment from a reader. Other days it was smaller ones, like a good cup of coffee or a sunny day.

Slowly, I noticed a shift in my mindset. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges, I started to see the positives more clearly.

I realized that even in the midst of difficulties, there are always things to be grateful for. This shift in perspective helped me handle stress and setbacks more effectively.

The power of gratitude is backed by psychology – studies show it can boost happiness levels and even improve physical health.

So if you’re looking to cultivate resilience, start counting your blessings – literally. It could make a world of difference.

3. Prioritizing self-care

The third habit that struck a chord with me was the importance of prioritizing self-care.

In the past, I used to think of self-care as a luxury, something to squeeze into my schedule if I found some free time. But as life threw more and more at me, I realized that self-care isn’t a luxury, but an absolute necessity.

As Hack Spirit founder, I was constantly on the go – working long hours, juggling multiple tasks and barely finding time to eat properly or exercise. My stress levels were through the roof and my health was taking a hit.

I knew something had to change.

So, I made the decision to put self-care higher up on my list of priorities. I started with small changes – taking short breaks during work, eating healthier meals, and setting aside time each day for physical activity.

Over time, these small changes had a big impact. I found that when I took care of myself physically, I was better equipped to handle emotional and mental stress.

Psychology supports this too – countless studies highlight the link between physical health and mental resilience.

4. Building strong relationships

The fourth habit that resilient people commonly share is the ability to build and maintain strong relationships.

In the past, I used to be somewhat of a lone wolf. I thought I could handle everything life threw at me on my own. But over time, I began to realize that having a strong network of friends and loved ones isn’t just comforting – it’s crucial.

When I was going through some particularly tough times with Hack Spirit, it was the support and understanding of my close friends and family that helped me stay afloat. Their encouragement, advice, and sometimes just their listening ears were invaluable.

This isn’t just my personal experience – research backs it up too. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that strong social connections not only improve our ability to cope with stress but can also promote better mental and physical health.

If you’re not sure where to start, try reaching out to an old friend or family member you haven’t spoken to in a while. Or make an effort to connect with your colleagues on a personal level.

5. Cultivating a positive mindset

The fifth habit I found common in resilient people is the cultivation of a positive mindset.

I used to be quite the pessimist, always expecting the worst and letting negative thoughts cloud my judgment. But over time, I realized this was only making it harder for me to cope with life’s challenges.

So, I decided to make a conscious effort to shift my mindset. I started challenging my negative thoughts, and replacing them with more positive and constructive ones.

For instance, instead of thinking “I can’t handle this”, I’d tell myself “This is tough, but I’ve handled tough situations before and I can do it again”.

This shift in mindset didn’t happen overnight, but with persistence, it made a significant difference in my ability to handle life’s ups and downs.

Positive thinking isn’t about ignoring life’s problems. It’s about approaching these challenges in a more positive and productive way.

Remember, our mindset plays a big role in how we perceive and respond to situations. Cultivating a positive mindset can greatly enhance our resilience and ability to handle whatever life throws at us.

6. Embracing failure as a learning opportunity

The sixth habit I uncovered is the ability to see failure not as a defeat, but as a learning opportunity.

I used to fear failure. The thought of failing at something, whether it was a project at Hack Spirit or a personal goal, was daunting. It made me feel inadequate and discouraged.

But then, I came across a quote by the famous psychologist Carl Rogers: “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn… from failure.”

Reading this, I realized that failure wasn’t something to be feared or avoided. Instead, it was an opportunity to learn, grow and improve.

From that point on, whenever I faced failure, instead of letting it get me down, I started asking myself: “What can I learn from this?”

This change in perspective turned my failures into stepping stones towards success. It made me more resilient and better equipped to handle life’s challenges.

So remember, don’t be afraid of failure. Embrace it as an opportunity to learn and grow. It’s one of the most effective ways to build resilience and become someone who can handle whatever life throws at them.

7. Taking time to do nothing

The final habit might sound counterintuitive, but hear me out.

One of the best ways to handle whatever life throws at you is to regularly take time to do… well, nothing.

In our fast-paced, always-on society, doing nothing can often feel unproductive or even lazy. But in reality, taking regular breaks to simply relax and unwind is crucial for maintaining our mental and physical health.

In the past, I was constantly on the move, always chasing the next goal or task. But I found that this non-stop pace was actually hindering my ability to handle life’s challenges.

So, I started scheduling ‘do nothing’ time into my week – periods where I’d disconnect from work and other responsibilities, and just be.

This downtime provided me with much-needed rest and rejuvenation, making me more resilient in the face of stress and adversity.

Contrary to what we might think, doing nothing doesn’t mean being idle or wasting time. It’s about giving your mind and body a chance to rest and recharge.

A practical way to incorporate this into your life? Start by setting aside just 10 minutes each day for ‘do nothing’ time. Use this time to sit quietly, take a leisurely walk, or just gaze out the window.

You’ll be surprised at how this simple habit can increase your ability to handle whatever life throws at you.

Conclusion

There you have it – 7 habits of people who can handle whatever life throws at them, according to psychology.

Remember, resilience isn’t something you’re born with – it’s a skill that can be developed. And these habits are a great place to start.

But don’t try to incorporate all these habits at once. Start small. Pick one habit that resonates with you and work on it consistently. Once it becomes second nature, move on to the next.

Life is unpredictable and challenging, but with these habits in your toolkit, you’ll be better equipped to navigate whatever comes your way.

Stay strong, stay positive, and remember – you’ve got this!