What Makes Some People More Resilient Than Others.

• They have a positive, realistic outlook. They don’t dwell on negative information and instead look for opportunities in bleak situations, striving to find the positive within the negative.

• They have a moral compass. Highly resilient people have a solid sense of what they consider right and wrong, and it tends to guide their decisions.

• They have a belief in something greater than themselves. This is often found through religious or spiritual practices. The community support that comes from being part of a religion also enhances resilience.

• They accept what they cannot change and focus energy on what they can change. Dr. Southwick says resilient people reappraise a difficult situation and look for meaningful opportunities within it.

• They have a mission, a meaning, a purpose. Feeling committed to a meaningful mission in life gives them courage and strength.

• They have a social support system, and they support others. “Very few resilient people,” said Dr. Southwick, “go it alone.”