By Paige Reist | Posted: May 26, 2018

The unexpected has this funny way of being, well… unexpected. No matter how meticulously we plan our lives, there’s always going to be something that comes along and ruffles our feathers. It could be a small issue, or a large one. Your AirBnB might cancel your reservation at the last minute while you’re in a foreign country, leaving you with no place to sleep. You might suddenly lose your job without any warning. Your child might one day need braces, or your pet could develop a condition that requires an expensive surgery. You might lose your house in a natural disaster, or your spouse or partner might pass away suddenly.

Of course, we don’t want any of these things to happen, but the unfortunate fact is that they do. So how can you prepare for such a wide range of unexpected things? How can you protect yourself, your loved ones, and your future? Here are three things to start with.

1. Get your finances in order

Financial stability and organization might seem like a drag, but it’s absolutely necessary for preparing for the unexpected. Do what you can to put aside an emergency fund, make sure you have the appropriate insurance (don’t forget your pets!), and when the unexpected comes along, you’ll have much less to stress about and can focus on navigating the situation at hand. 

Trust us--we know that insurance can be expensive, and that saving can be difficult. But meeting with an advisor at your bank, which is often a complementary service that comes with your account, can help you begin to develop good strategies and habits towards a better financial future.

2. Keep yourself in good physical health

Being able to rely on your body in times of peril can sometimes be the difference between life and death. Yoga instructor Cyndi Lee shares a story on the Art of Living Retreat Center blog in which she details how the skills she learned and the strength she developed during her practice of yoga and meditation helped save her life during a terrifying rafting accident in which she almost drowned.

But you don’t have to be in a physically threatening situation in order for good physical health to benefit you--exercise can be an incredible stress reliever in high-pressure situations, and helps you think more clearly and work out any frustration you might be holding, too.

Keeping your physical health in order will also lower your susceptibility to conditions like heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and other things that can impact your vitality. The healthier you are now, the healthier you’ll continue to be!

3. Develop the skill of resilience

Resilience is your ability to weather the ups and downs of life with a calm, centered outlook, and to dive into every situation that presents itself without hesitation or fear. Resilience is a skill set that combines flexibility, self-control, maintaining a good attitude, and the willingness to put in some hard work.

Some people are naturally resilient, while others might not  have a natural inclination towards it. But luckily, even though resilience can be a talent, it is also a skill. You can develop your resilience by consciously working to rewire your viewpoint, learning from your failures instead of beating yourself up over them, setting actionable and achievable goals, and learning to manage stress. Developing resilience will ensure that no matter what happens, you’ll be prepared to take on the unexpected.

Preparing for the unexpected doesn’t have to be scary or complicated. Taking small steps to make sure your finances, health, and outlook are aligned will support you through any surprises life has in store for you.

Paige Leigh Reist is a lifestyle writer and the blogger behind thewholesomehandbook.com.