The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - and Why

by Amanda Ripley

In the mid-1990s, scientists discovered that people with posttraumatic stress disorder didn’t just behave differently; their brains actually were different. The hippocampus, located deep within the brain near the amygdala, was a little smaller in people with posttraumatic stress disorder. The hippocampus is intimately involved in learning and memory, and it helps us decide whether something is safe or not. In a disaster—and afterward—it can boost our resilience.

When you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by everyday trials, tell yourself you can influence what happens to you. Tell yourself there is meaningful purpose here, and repeat over and over that you can learn from this ordeal. Even if you don’t entirely believe it, your brain is listening.