Building resilience – or the ability to bounce back from challenging events – is about supporting your health and wellness in all areas. To keep it simple, we’ve broken it down into four key factors that can have the biggest impact in boosting resilience for first responders. Jumpstart your ability to rebound from those tough moments by prioritizing these key wellness areas in your life:

Nutrition – Eat regular, balanced meals with whole foods, stay hydrated, and reduce sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.

Stress Response – Take at least 5 minutes a day to sit with your thoughts. Use this time to focus however you want – prayer, a gratitude practice, focusing on your breath – whatever helps you feel centered and peaceful.

Exercise – Move your body daily. Train so that you can rely on your physical strength when needed.

Sleep – Prioritize rest and set yourself up for success by controlling variables like blocking light, turning off your phone, using ear plugs or white noise – whatever helps you wind down and get restorative sleep.

…These practices sound simple, and maybe downright boring! But prioritizing them consistently will provide a strong foundation for your ability to recover and continue to do the job you love.

Lighthouse Health & Wellness Weekly Wellness Minute video series is brought to you in part by FirstNet, Built by AT&T. FirstNet and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks of the First Responder Network Authority. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.