The purpose of this study was to examine resilience as the ability to bounce back from stress in predicting health-related measures when controlling for other positive characteristics and resources. We assessed resilience optimism social support mood clarity spirituality purpose in life and health-related measures in two large undergraduate samples. In Study 1 resilience was related to both health-related measures (less negative affect and more positive affect) when controlling for demographics and other positive characteristics. In Study 2 resilience was related to all four health-related measures (less negative affect more positive affect less physical symptoms and less perceived stress) when controlling for the other variables. None of the other positive characteristics were related to more than three of the six possible health-related measures when controlling for the other variables. Resilience as the ability to bounce back may be an important personal resource to examine in future studies and target in interventions.