{"id":15929,"date":"2026-10-13T12:53:47","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T10:53:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myspeaker.se\/?p=15929"},"modified":"2026-10-13T14:17:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T12:17:00","slug":"how-to-boost-your-resilience-interview-with-bjorn-hedensjo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myspeaker.se\/en\/news\/how-to-boost-your-resilience-interview-with-bjorn-hedensjo\/","title":{"rendered":"How to boost your resilience \u2013 Interview with Bj\u00f6rn Hedensj\u00f6"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Bj\u00f6rn Hedensj\u00f6 is a licensed psychologist who runs a psychotherapy practice in S\u00f6dermalm, Stockholm. He also co-hosts the podcast Dumma m\u00e4nniskor (Stupid People) alongside Lina Thomsg\u00e5rd, Sweden\u2019s largest (and perhaps funniest) science podcast.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bj\u00f6rn previously worked as Managing Editor at DN.se and has authored several books, including the acclaimed ‘Omtyckta m\u00e4nniskor’ (‘Likable People’). His latest book, ‘Resiliens: 9 nycklar f\u00f6r psykologisk motst\u00e5ndskraft’ (‘Resilience: 9 Keys to Psychological Resilience’), was published in 2025.<\/p>\n

We took the opportunity to interview Bj\u00f6rn Hedensj\u00f6 and asked for his top tips on how to build your resilience!<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Bj\u00f6rn, you\u2019ve written a book about resilience. What are its most important insights?<\/h4>\n

That we humans are a fairly robust species, and that we all have skills that help us through tough times \u2014 we just differ in how readily we can access them. In the book, I describe nine key skills that help us deal with crises and setbacks. It\u2019s hard to say which matter most, but the foundation of resilience is self-awareness: recognising your patterns of behaviour and understanding how what\u2019s happening around you affects what\u2019s happening inside you.<\/p>\n

If you can\u2019t answer the question \u201cHow am I feeling right now?\u201d, it\u2019s difficult to answer \u201cWhat do I need right now?\u201d And without that understanding, it\u2019s hard to respond in a way that\u2019s constructive and suited to the challenge in front of you.<\/p>\n

Can individuals and organisations learn to become more resilient?<\/h4>\n

Yes. All the skills I cover in the book can be developed, and there\u2019s research documenting that. For example, we can get better at directing our attention, facing our fears, solving problems creatively and systematically, and tolerating not knowing how things will turn out.<\/p>\n

One practical example is learning to let go of a little control in everyday life, rather than double-checking everything or trying to prepare for every possible eventuality. Resilient individuals help build resilient organisations, although individual resilience obviously can\u2019t compensate for unreasonable working conditions, such as an excessive workload.<\/p>\n

How do we distinguish between what we can actually influence and what simply leaves us feeling powerless as we scroll through the news?<\/h4>\n

By taking a cue from the Stoics of ancient Greece. Sit down and untangle that often rather vague cloud of worry. Sort your concerns into two columns: what can I influence in this situation, and what is beyond my control? Then focus on practical problem-solving. This simple exercise tends to work surprisingly well.<\/p>\n

Taking a step in the right direction, however small, often helps ease worry. Much of our worry concerns entirely hypothetical scenarios: we don\u2019t know whether what we fear will ever happen, and we have no influence over the outcome. No amount of turning it over in our minds will change what happens in the real world. That kind of unproductive, often distressing thinking is something we want to reduce, and there are effective ways to do that.<\/p>\n

How can we actively strengthen our resilience in times of great uncertainty?<\/h4>\n

Start by not cutting out the things that help you feel well. When life gets demanding, the walk, the workout and dinner with friends are often the first things to go. I call this the vicious logic of stress: we remove opportunities to recharge just when we need them most. Make sure you keep making time for sleep, movement, relationships and things you enjoy.<\/p>\n

I also talk about realistic optimism as a helpful outlook: don\u2019t turn a blind eye to problems, threats or risks, but start from the belief that things can get better, and that you can play a part in making that happen. Try to direct your attention towards something positive now and then, even in difficult times. To a large extent, we shape the worlds we live in through what we choose to notice.<\/p>\n

And let other people in. Resilience isn\u2019t about never needing help. On the contrary, being able to ask for help is essential. And, contrary to what most people think, asking for help actually strengthens relationships!<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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