Getting through tough times, with Chief Scout, Bear Grylls

There’s always someone to talk to. Asking someone for help is a sign of strength not weakness.

Don’t waste energy complaining about the rain. It won’t stop a single drop. Remember, the storms make us stronger.

At some point, you’ll be on the other side of this problem. Think how good you’ll feel when this is all over and you can be proud that you prevailed and endured.

If life isn’t going your way, then think about what good things you have. Watch a favourite film, read a book, or talk to a friend. When life hands a Scout some lemons, we make lemonade!

Good regular sleep (eight hours is ideal) will make you feel better about everything. Don’t look at the bright screen on your phone before going to bed, and say sorry to someone if you’ve upset them. There is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience!

It’s amazing how your cares float away when you go for a walk, swim or jog. It makes you feel like you’ve literally outrun your problems and left them behind. So get outside, get fresh air, and get moving. Get sun on your face and earth under your bare feet as much as you can (I do this every day). Be a person who thrives in the outdoors.

Negative people will drain your energy at the best of times, let alone when things are tough. Try to avoid the dream-stealers as much as you can – those who dismiss your goals or aspirations. Life is full of dream-stealers. Ignore them!

Instead, where you can, hang out with those who make you feel better about life. People tend either to be a radiator or a drain. ‘Radiators’ light and warm up a conversation or situations. ‘Drain’s sap the energy and positivity from you. We all probably know some of both types of person. Hang out with ‘radiators’ – and choose to be one yourself!

Every tough experience is also a lesson in life. You’ll be better equipped next time you face a crisis. So don’t look at a failure as just a failure. Instead, consider it a great lesson. This has helped me many times, and trust me, I have failed often!

When you’re feeling down, it’s all too easy to reach for chips and doughnuts. Comfort food. But comfort food is a cheap hit and a temporary answer. In fact, it answers nothing, but tends to leave us weaker, lower, and unhappier.

Instead, pick natural foods, whole foods; the stuff you’d find in nature. These are the foods that as humans we have evolved over hundreds of thousands of years to thrive on. Food is fuel. Put the good stuff in and you’ll get good results out.

No matter how hard things get, if you just keep going, you’ll get to the other side. Never give up has a strength all of its own. Use it and depend on it. Make having a Never Give Up spirit your superpower.