The Healing Power of Resilience: A New Prescription for Health and Well-Being

by Tara Narula

In this paradigm-shifting book, Dr. Tara Narula bridges the gap between clinical medicine and psychology to illustrate the healing power of resilience. Using inspiring case studies, interviews with leading resilience experts, and her own personal experience, she provides a set of strategies and tools that are designed to help you cultivate a resilient mindset.

Despite advances in modern medicine, cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one cause of death in the United States. We can identify many of the traditional factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease, and now we’re adding new factors such as sleep, stress, depression, and other mental health issues. But the concept of psychological resilience is just beginning to be understood as a contributing factor to a person’s ability to prevent the onset of disease, recover from illness or trauma, and successfully move forward in life.

Dr. Tara Narula has long been fascinated by how our mindset affects our health. She, along with other leading experts in the cutting edge field of psychological resilience, believe that resilience is much like the heart—a “muscle” that can be trained and strengthened through exercise and use. In both her personal life and professional practice, she’s witnessed firsthand the transformative power of resilience in patient outcomes and in meeting all of life’s challenges. A resilient spirit, she believes, is a key factor in staying healthy—and happy—for the long run. In The Heart of Resilience , she offers you a new prescription for strengthening your own resilience as a way to tend to matters of the heart.

Genres: Self Help, Health, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Medicine

288 pages, Hardcover

Published January 20, 2026

About the author

Dr. Tara Narula is a board-certified cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, an Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine, Hofstra/Northwell, the Associate Director of the Women’s Heart Program at Lenox Hill Hospital and Director of Communications for the Katz Institute of Women’s Health. She is also a nationally recognized medical journalist. She is the current Chief Medical Correspondent for ABC News and a former NBC News Medical Contributor, CNN Medical Correspondent and CBS News Senior Medical Correspondent. She has been a past contributor as well to O, Oprah Magazine. She joined Lenox Hill Heart & Vascular Institute of New York in 2010 and provides outpatient consultative care. After graduating from Stanford University with degrees in Economics and Biology, she was founder and CEO of her own small business, Sun Juice Inc. Subsequently, she obtained her medical degree at USC Keck School of Medicine where she graduated with Alpha Omega Alpha Society Honors. Dr. Narula completed her residency in internal medicine at Harvard University/Brigham and Women's Hospital and her fellowship training in cardiology at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Narula is currently a fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC). She serves as a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association and the AHA’s Go Red for Women Initiative. She is co-director of a mentoring program for women in medicine called FaceofCardiology which serves to help guide women pursuing possible careers in cardiology. She is a recipient of a 2022 Emmy Award for Outstanding Live News Program CBS Mornings, the 2019 WomenHeart Nanette Wenger Award for Media and the Super Doctors Award for NYC 2014-2025. Her interests include women's health, prevention, mental health, and resilience. Her new book ‘The Healing Power of Resilience’ was published by Simon & Schuster in January 2026 and highlights the importance of resilience as a powerful force in keeping us healthy, happy and helping us recover from the challenges of life.

Reviews

[Lisa Schilling Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great review with plenty of antidotes and data from studies and research on the many aspects that are important resilience in dealing with health challenges and life challenges. Aligns closely with the “blue zone” thoughts of approaching things holistically. Sleep, reduced stress, exercise and good nutrition along with purpose, love and community. Something we can all strive for in our lives.

[Stephanie Peterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very timely topic worth exploring. Extra stars for mentioning Ms. Proenza from Ransom Everglades! She was also my favorite teacher and inspired my life-long love of reading and writing.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for understanding heart health

I enjoyed this book, thank you Dr. Tara Narula! She explained things in an easy format that will not give you anxiety or stress. Dr. Tara Narula also shares herself. It’s great warm to the heart read.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful resource for anyone who has had heart issues and/or their loved ones. There is a lot of information given that is beneficial to everyone. Resilience is in all of us. Sometimes we just need a reminder of how tough we are and what we have to live for.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information, but kind of the book equivalent of "this meeting could have been an email".

[Amanda Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Authored from professional medical perspectives. Value of a flexible, purposeful, and connected lifestyle to combat stresses of life. Offers very actionable ideas to rebuild capacity (especially after tragedy/illness/death).

[Kevin Dufresne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi,

I hope all is progressing well.

The Healing Power of Resilience: A New Prescription for Health and Well-Being by Dr. Tara Narula, MD, definitively engages with dynamics of resilience equipping individuals to embrace life fully beyond any circumstance independently as well as interdependently. Engaging my interests in healthful progressions of life as well as of being a more mindful romantic/life partner, I decide to buy then read the text to further broaden and deepen my healthfully progressing understanding of healthfully progressing parameters of life. The text navigates details of resilience through quantitative and qualitative research as well as the lenses of the author's experiences becoming/as a Cardiologist, medical journalist, and daughter/parent/human. The text offers guiding references along the way to referentially support areas of the discussion. Here are a few of my ponderings when reading the text: what might make the medicinal realm in development more accessible so as to ensure the future of medicine operates by the most up-to-date equitable standards which not only make accommodating medicinal demands easier though medicinal pathways more enrichening and less burdensome?; One has much control over one's life; The text well engages the physiological, emotional, personal, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of resilience to offer palpable servings of immediately implementable supports.

Additionally, I find the following texts may assist with further deliberating concepts of contexts within The Healing Power of Resilience: A New Prescription for Health and Well-Being by Dr. Tara Narula, MD: What to Expect: Eating Well When You're Expecting (2nd Edition) by Heidi Murkoff, The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery: Connecting Neuroscience and Faith to Radically Transform Your Life by Dr. Lee Warren, MD, Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Dr. Robert M. Sapolsky, PhD, Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do Is Healthy and Rewarding by Dr. Daniel Lieberman, PhD, Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing (Newly Updated and Revised 5th Edition) by Dr. Christiane Northrup, M.D., Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Dr. Matthew Walker, PhD, Mayo Clinic on Healthy Aging: An Easy and Comprehensive Guide to Keeping Your Body Young, Your Mind Sharp and Your Spirit Fulfilled by Dr. Christina Chen, M.D. and Dr. Nathan K. LeBrasseur, Ph.D., Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means, MD, and Calley Means, The Book of Hormones: Ultimate Playbook for Women's Health And Hormonal Balance Through Every Stage of Life by Dr. Shweta Patel, MD, FACOG, This Is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More by Dr. Uma Naidoo, MD, The Penis Book: A Doctor's Complete Guide to the Penis—From Size to Function and Everything in Between by Dr. Aaron Spitz, M.D., Relish Your Retirement: 501 Fun, Insightful and Simple Ideas to a Blissful Retired Life for Women by Florance Philip, All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women's Bodies and Why It Matters Today by Dr. Elizabeth Comen, MD, Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio, Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier by Dr. Arthur C. Brooks, PhD, and Oprah Winfrey, Younger Next Year for Women: Live Strong, Fit, Sexy, and Smart—Until You’re 80 and Beyond by Dr. Henry S. Lodge, M.D., Chris Crowley, and Dr. Allan J. Hamilton, MD, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Dr. Daniel Goleman, PhD, It Didn't Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn, Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon by Dr. Joe Dispenza, The MindBody Code: How to Change the Beliefs That Limit Your Health, Longevity, and Success by Dr. Mario Martinez, The XX Brain: The Groundbreaking Science Empowering Women to Maximize Cognitive Health and Prevent Alzheimer's Disease by Dr. Lisa Mosconi, PhD, Dodging Energy Vampires: An Empath's Guide to Evading Relationships That Drain You and Restoring Your Health and Power by Dr. Christiane Northrup, M.D., Lifespan: Why We Age—and Why We Don’t Have To by Dr. David A. Sinclair, PhD, with Matthew D. LaPlante, Age Proof: The New Science of Living a Longer and Healthier Life by Professor/Dr. Rose Anne Kenny, MD (FRCP FRCPI FRCPEdin FTCD FESC MRIA), The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, MD, Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters: The Science Behind Employee Happiness and Organizational Performance by Dr. Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, PhD, and Dr. George Ward, PhD, The New Emotional Intelligence by Dr. Travis Bradberry, PhD, Not In Your Genes: The real reasons children are like their parents by Oliver James, The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives by Dr. William Stixrud, PhD, and Ned Johnson, Working with Emotional Intelligence by Dr. Daniel Goleman, PhD, A Man's Guide to Healthy Aging: Stay Smart, Strong, and Active (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book) by Edward H. Thompson, Jr., and Lenard W. Kaye (with contributions from contributors which receive credits at the end of the book), Come As You Are (Revised and Updated): The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Dr. Emily Nagoski, Ph.D., Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections by Dr. Emily Nagoski, PhD, Becoming Orgasmic: A Sexual and Personal Growth Program for Women by Dr. Julia R. Heiman, Ph.D., & Dr. Joseph LoPiccolo, Ph.D., (illustrations by David Palladini), Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Dr. Anna Lembke, MD, Feel It All: A Therapist's Guide to Reimagining Your Relationship with Sex by Casey Tanner, LCPC, CST, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, PhD, (Illustrations by Ethan van Sciver), Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life by Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, PhD, The Love Prescription: Seven Days to More Intimacy, Connection, and Joy by Dr. John Gottman, PhD, and Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman, PhD, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex by Dr. John Gray, PhD, Why Good Sex Matters: Understanding the Neuroscience of Pleasure for a Smarter, Happier, and More Purpose-Filled Life by Dr. Nan Wise, PhD, Exploring Sexuality and Disability: A Guide for Human Service Professionals with contributions and edits by Dr. Shanna Katz Kattari, PhD, MEd, CSE (with further contributions from contributors which receive credits at the beginning of the book),The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey, How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie, Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear, A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis, Hatha Yoga Pradipika: Light on Hatha Yoga by Yogi Swatmarama (in tandem with extensive exploratory commentary on the basis of practical research of Swami Muktibodhananda), The Complete Idiot's Guide to Enhancing Sexual Desire by Judy Ford, MSW, LCSW, with Rachel Greene Baldino, MSW, LCSW, Soulmates: The Six Essentials for Connected Sex by Susan Bratton, Great Sex for Life by Linda Sonntag, Better Sex Through Mindfulness: How Women Can Cultivate Desire by Dr. Lori A. Brotto, The 50th Law by 50 Cent and Robert Green, The Female Body Bible by Dr. Emma Ross, Ph.D., Baz Moffat, and Dr. Bella Smith, Dr. Nita’s Crash Course for Women: Better Sex, Better Health, Better You by Dr. Nita Landry, MD, OB-GYN, The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did) by Philippa Perry, a Psychotherapist, and Positive Discipline: The Classic Guide to Helping Children Develop Self-Discipline, Responsibility, Cooperation, and Problem-Solving Skills by Dr. Jane Nelsen, Ed.D.

Onward and Upward,
Kevin Dufresne
www.Piatures.com
IG: @Dufreshest

[Christine Auber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this book on audio after it was recommended based on TV interview with author, Dr. Tara Narula. I found the audio to be kind of annoying in that the voice did not match the content, in my opinion. I listened on double speed, which helped. The author made some good points.... Resiliency can be strengthened like a muscle with practice. We must practice acceptance of our circumstances, maintain a flexibility in our thinking (so we can adapt and make changes when needed) and have a sense of purpose in our lives. Dr. Narula talks about the need to treat the whole patient, not just the physically ill part. Medical persons need to take into account mental health and life circumstances when giving medical advice. People need social connection, the ability to face their fears and keep a hopeful outlook to improve/maintain self-love. One point that got me thinking.... It appears the body doesn't know the difference between kinds of stress to the heart. It is a person's perception of how the stress affects them that has a greater impact. If this is true, does it follow that if I believe (to the point of knowing at my core) any type of stress that increases my heartrate (fear, excitement, anxiety, treadmill) is a healthy cardio workout, will I have a healthier heart??

[Romzanul Islam · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a reader from Chittagong, Bangladesh, diving into this on January 21, 2026, felt perfectly timed amid ongoing global health talks. Dr. Tara Narula, the cardiologist and ABC News correspondent, masterfully blends heart science with resilience psychology.

She starts with jaw-dropping heart facts—like it beats 100,000 times a day and can survive major damage—and argues resilience is the "new prescription" for well-being, not just bouncing back but embracing change like "carving the angel from marble."

Her 8-step Resilience Response (acceptance, flexible thinking, fitness, facing fears, connections, love, hope, purpose) is practical, backed by stats (e.g., optimism lowers heart risk by 35%) and moving patient stories.

It's empowering without being preachy—ideal for anyone battling stress or health issues. Highly recommend for its hopeful, holistic vibe!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the Healing Power of Resilience, written by cardiologist Tara Narula, MD. She has always been interested in this topic. She did a tremendous amount of research and also discussed examples of patients she saw for heart problems, and what helped them being able to recover with strength. She discusses the importance of support from family and friends, to face fears, to find role models, and to recognize your strengths. Learning how to accept a medical diagnosis. It would be a great book for everyone, including doctors, to read, and I am going to give it to my primary doctor the next time that I see him.

[Adele · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author says, "... though the pandemic is behind us." The World Health Organization says that we are in an active pandemic. The book's failure to address the neurovascular nature of COVID and its ongoing effects makes this work incomplete at best, and disinformation at worst.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I've heard/know much of this info, I really enjoyed the way the author compiled information which promotes resilience and better health. This was especially poignant because I have a good friend who just suffered a heart attack due to "broken heart syndrome," a topic covered in the book.

[Pcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

plus .5

[Amy Mcclellan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly believe that resilience makes a difference. I proved it with myself!

[kerrigan · Rating 1 out of 5]

🍅🍅🍅 (no offense)