Resilience and wellbeing: five behaviours to ditch for 2026

We always keep a keen eye on the Resilience Institute's global reports. And they published the 2025 edition in November. Here's what it says about resilience and wellbeing risks.

1. Multitasking

Doing this, fragments our attention and energy. Our brains then need to reset continually. And that leads to stress and overload. So what to do: focus on one thing at a time and drop the myth that multitasking is a virtue. Set aside between 60 - 90 minutes for a specific task. Then have a break.

2. Hypervigilance

This reminds me of meerkats - always alert and on guard. The 2025 global report points out that resilient people have similar stresses to everyone else. But they recover quicker; they don't stay hypervigilant. So what to do: build in deliberate recovery breaks and use relaxation techniques. Diaphragmatic breathing is a simple go to. 

3. Worry

Replaying "what if" and coming up with poor outcomes stops you working towards solutions. Constant worry drains energy and undermines confidence. So what to do: recognise and label worry as well - to distance yourself from it. Try setting up specific worry sessions when you allow yourself a short period of worry and then leave it behind. And then live in the present.

4. Overload

This means doing too much, too fast, for too long. You just keep going on and on. Where's the recovery time? Nowhere. This gets worse if you add multitasking as well. So what to do: clarify priorities. Try having only three priorities at a time. Then build breaks - microbreaks and longer ones - into your routine.

5. Intensity

Being "on" all the time is unsustainable. It drives stress, and can lead to burnout. So what to do: pace yourself and as already said, take breaks and recover. Develop a healthy rhythm. Celebrate quality over quantity and long-term progress. 

Ditching these practices may not happen overnight. It's a question of developing new habits. Luckily we can help there. Check out the detailed Tea & Toast notes on creating new habits.

Look forward to a more resilient 2026 with these five habits firmly in the bin.