As we age, resilience becomes our best ally.

It prepares us for the unexpected, helps us bounce back from life’s curveballs, and generally makes the journey a bit easier.

But here’s a surprise.

Our ability to be resilient might be hampered by some everyday habits. Habits so ingrained in our routine, we don’t even realize they’re holding us back.

Interesting, right?

So if you’re pondering, “How can I be more resilient as I age?” it might be time to work on changing some of these habits.

In this article, we’ll delve into seven such habits that could be secretly diminishing your resilience.

Now remember, change isn’t instant, but once you’re aware of these hindrances, you’re already on your way to a more resilient you.

Stay with me as we navigate the path to enhancing our resilience in our golden years.

Trust me, it’s going to be an enlightening journey.

1) Neglecting physical health

We often underestimate the power of good physical health.

But here’s the catch.

Your body is your vehicle in this journey called life. If you don’t take care of it, resilience can become a tough nut to crack.

Regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep – they all contribute towards a healthier you. And a healthier you is naturally more resilient.

So, if you’ve been postponing that gym membership or skipping meals in the name of a busy schedule, it’s time to reassess.

Remember, a resilient body fosters a resilient mind. So don’t neglect your physical health – it’s one of the key players in your resilience team.

2) Resisting change

Oh, how I used to fear change!

I would cling to routines and familiarity like a safety blanket. But life, being the unpredictable journey that it is, had other plans.

I learned it the hard way when I lost my job unexpectedly. I panicked, resisted, and fought against the tide of change.

But guess what? It only made things harder.

That’s when I realized: Change is inevitable.

Resisting it is often counterproductive.

I decided to embrace change, to see it as an opportunity rather than a threat. And you know what? My resilience skyrocketed.

So if you’re like me, always seeking comfort in the known and predictable, it might be time to let go.

Embrace change, welcome new experiences. It’s a game-changer for resilience as you age, believe me!

And since change might often be tight with taking a risk, our next habit is naturally linked to it…

3) Avoiding risks

I’ve always been a play-it-safe kind of person.

For most of my life, I walked the well-trodden path, avoiding any risks or uncertainties.

But here’s the funny thing about that – it didn’t make me more resilient. It made me more comfortable, yes, but definitely not resilient.

Then, I decided to take a leap of faith.

I started my own business – something I’d dreamed of but had been too afraid to try.

There were risks, plenty of them. But the experience of navigating those uncertainties, overcoming obstacles, and learning from failures was priceless.

It made me realize that avoiding risks doesn’t build resilience; facing them does.

So if you, like me, have been playing it safe all your life, maybe it’s time to step out of your comfort zone.

Try something new. Face a fear. Take a risk. It might just be the resilience boost you need as you get older.

4) Living in the past

We all have a series of experiences that have shaped who we are today.

But here’s the twist.

If you’re constantly looking back, clinging to past successes or failures, it becomes hard to move forward.

And moving forward is an essential part of being resilient.

I once knew a man who was always talking about his glory days in high school. He lived in the past so much that he forgot to live in the present. His resilience? Practically non-existent.

Remember, resilience is about bouncing back, adapting, and growing. And you can’t do that if you’re stuck in the yester-years.

So let go of your past and focus on the present and future. The road to resilience is ahead, not behind.

5) Being a perfectionist

Perfectionism sounds like a desirable trait, doesn’t it?

But here’s a little secret.

Research shows that perfectionism can actually be detrimental to our mental health, leading to increased stress, anxiety and even depression.

Why? Because life is beautifully imperfect and unpredictable. And when our expectations are rigidly set on perfection, we’re setting ourselves up for disappointment.

I’ve learned this the hard way, always striving for the flawless, the error-free. But it didn’t make me resilient; it made me stressed and unhappy.

So if you find yourself caught in the trap of perfectionism, it’s time to break free.

Embrace imperfections, learn from mistakes, and remember – Progress is more important than perfection.

This understanding can make you more resilient as you grow older.

6) Not asking for help

I was always the “do-it-myself” kind of person.

Somehow, I had convinced myself that asking for help was a sign of weakness. But life showed me differently.

When my father fell ill, I tried to handle everything alone – his care, my job, my own emotional turmoil. It was exhausting. I was crumbling under the weight of it all.

That’s when a friend stepped in. She offered to help and, for the first time, I accepted. The relief was immediate and profound.

It made me realize: Asking for help is not a weakness; it’s a strength. It allows us to share our burdens, to lean on others when we need to. That’s resilience.

So if you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, remember – it’s okay to ask for help.

In fact, it might be the very thing that enhances your resilience as you age.

7) Ignoring self-care

Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

I learned this truth during the toughest phase of my life.

I was juggling multiple roles, responsibilities, and neglecting the one person who needed my attention the most – me.

When I finally hit a wall, I realized self-care wasn’t selfish. It was essential for my mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

And yes, it played a critical role in my resilience.

So, put yourself on your priority list. Take time to relax, to do things you enjoy. Nurture your body, your mind, and your spirit.

Because at the end of the day, resilience starts with a healthy you.

Final thoughts

If some of these habits strike a chord, don’t be disheartened.

Remember, self-awareness is the first step to change.

Identifying these habits is not an indictment, but an invitation to growth. It’s an opportunity to become more resilient, to age with grace and strength.

Start by observing when these habits show up in your life. Notice their impact, their triggers. Then experiment with different responses, new ways of being.

It won’t be easy, and it won’t be quick.

But every step you take towards letting go of these habits is a step towards resilience. And that’s a journey worth embarking on.

As the philosopher Lao Tzu once said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

So take that step. Embrace the challenge. The path to resilience is not always easy, but it’s rewarding in ways you can only imagine.

Remember, the power to change lies within you. Ageing with resilience isn’t just about saying goodbye to certain habits; it’s about embracing a new way of living, a new way of being.

So here’s to resilience. Here’s to growing older with grace, strength and wisdom!