Research

We offer tips, skills, and resources for building resilience and supporting recovery

• Get connected. Building strong, healthy relationships with loved ones and friends can give you needed support and help guide you in good and bad times. Connect with others by volunteering or joining a faith or spiritual group.
• Make every day have meaning. Do something that gives you a sense of success and purpose every day. Set clear goals that you can reach to help you look toward the future with meaning.
• Learn from the past. Think of how you’ve coped with troubles in the past. Think about what has helped you through tough times. You can even write about past events in a journal to help you see the patterns of how you behave and to help guide you in the future.
• Stay hopeful. You can’t change the past, but you can always look toward the future. Being open to change makes it easier to adapt and view new challenges with less worry.
• Take care of yourself. Tend to your own needs and feelings. Do activities and hobbies you enjoy. Include physical activity in your daily routine. Get plenty of sleep and make bedtime rituals. Eat a healthy diet. Practice how to manage stress. Try ways to relax, such as yoga, meditation, guided imagery, deep breathing or prayer.
• Take action. Don’t ignore your problems. Instead, figure out what you need to do, make a plan and take action. It can take time to recover from a major setback, trauma or loss. But know that your life can improve if you work at it.

Mayo Clinic – Dec. 23, 2023
accessed at https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/resilience-training/in-depth/resilience/art-20046311 July 6, 2025
Building your resilience. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience. Accessed Jan. 25, 2022.
AskMayoExpert. Resilience training. Mayo Clinic; 2021.
Mesman E, et al. Resilience and mental health in children and adolescents: An update of the recent literature and future directions. Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 2021; doi:10.1097/YCO.000000000000074.
Babic R, et al. Resilience and illness. Psychiatria Danubina. 2020;32:226.

• Support Local and Sustainable Businesses

Buy local—your choices matter. Supporting nearby farmers and artisans strengthens your community and slashes your carbon footprint. Plan ahead and make it count.

• Learn about Environmental Justice

Environmental harm hits marginalized communities hardest. Learn the impact—then speak up for just, inclusive solutions close to home.

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Start with less. The three R’s—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—aren’t equal. Reducing cuts waste at the source. Reusing gives items new life. Recycling comes last—it still uses energy and not all materials are truly recyclable.

• Educate and Raise Awareness

Spread the word—share sustainability tips with your community and on social media. Inspire action. 

• Stay Politically Involved

Speak up for people and the planet. Vote green, contact your reps, and join local advocacy. Every voice counts—make yours heard.

• Rest and Recharge

REMEMBER – IT’S ALL CONNECTED: If you aren’t recovered and resilient, you can’t bring that change to the world. Rest fuels resilience. Prioritize self-care to avoid burnout and stay energized for lasting impact. Make rest part of your activism

We highlight important research in the fields of human and climate challenges.

Don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions!

Dennis Eagle, AFSME – every single day of his career!