How to cultivate resilience

By Betsan Jones

February 8, 2023

Try these physical and psychological methods to strengthen your resilience.

In recent times, ‘resilience’ has become the byword for many qualities – one that’s come to symbolise grit, determination, strength, compassion, and the ability to bounce back with kindness. Just think of the global coronavirus pandemic, which tested our ability to cope on a global scale. It showed that having the tools to navigate tough times wasn’t a luxury, it was a necessity. Discover how can you boost your resilience and wellbeing, with tips from our experts.

What is resilience?

For Jyothi Fong, yoga teacher at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong the term defines a specific outlook. “Resilience is the durability to move life forward with grace during challenging times,” she says. “A resilient person is more adept at acceptance, whilst having the ability to shift adversity into opportunity.” We might assume that resilience is something some people are born with, but the reality is that personal strength is something you can cultivate, by dedicating time to self-development and self-care.

Build physical strength

A new year is a good time to develop new physical exercise habits – and sometimes the best place to start is under the guidance of an expert. At The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, you can book a Move & Recover session, designed to improve posture, joint mobility and muscle condition, combining a hands-on Intelligent Movement treatment with a personal training session.

At any level of fitness, it’s important to think about the way you move and the intention guiding your actions. Shaolin Master Hu from The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Sanya emphasises the importance of tuning into the senses. One simple way to do this is to pair your favourite exercise with your favourite playlist. “Find 30 minutes every day to practise your favourite exercise to music you like,” he says. “Let your mind and movement follow the music’s speed naturally as you're exercising. This will help to trigger your inner emotions and convert them to outer strength, providing a release through your workout. Keep doing this for a few weeks; you will find balance for your body and peace for your spirit.”

Take care of your mental health

More than ever, it’s important to extend your self-care to your mental health – which could include making time every day for silence, contemplation and mindfulness. At Mandarin Oriental, Boston, therapists use a blend of balancing aromatherapy oils and massage in their Inner Strength treatment to ease physical tension and emotional anxiety resulting from a traumatic experience or stressful time in your life.

Calming green spaces

We’ve come to value all our green spaces over the past year or two – and it’s been shown that spending time in nature improves your mood and reduces feelings of stress. Try a few laps of the 16-metre outdoor swimming pool at Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como, set in the waters of the lake, or join a personal trainer on the scenic jogging route that winds through the leafy grounds.

Make time to contemplate

Identifying your personal strengths and sense of purpose takes time and dedicated effort. But as anyone who enjoys a long, hot shower can attest, relaxing atmospheres can help to process these thoughts. The Butterfly’s Dream treatment at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai incorporates energy releasing techniques, a deep bath, holistic facial and moxibustion (a traditional Chinese Medicine technique that uses a burning moxa near acupressure points) to release tension and restore the body’s natural equilibrium.

Stay aware of modern distractions

Our digital devices are arguably the biggest distraction in modern life, and can pull us back from moments of stillness and contemplation. Try Mandarin Oriental’s Digital Wellness Escape (available at many of our hotels) to experience a combination of massage techniques, mindfulness activities and expert advice on the best ways to take a break from our technology. Genesis Day Lagasca, Director of Spa and Wellness at Mandarin Oriental, Macau believes in making small changes to help with digital device usage. “Use an old-fashioned alarm clock to wake you up, then only check your phone after breakfast,” she suggests. “In this way, we can disconnect with the digital world and reconnect with ourselves.”

All offers and experiences available at time of publication. Please contact the relevant hotel team for more information.

About the Author

Betsan Jones

Betsan Jones is an editor and content strategist, who has worked with British Airways, the Arts Council of Wales and FitBit.