we will always be squishy, there are ways to mitigate this though
this is what i have found helps
1 travel with competent people (it took practice, but i learned my limits, when i travel alone in the game it is always fully buffed, with a full second set of buffs in reserve to get me home, as soon as they start wearing off, it is time to find a place to rest or return "home")
2 supplies supplies supplies (if i am low on healing potions/wands and restore things, i do not complain, it is my own fault , if i go on a quest low on supplies that is also on me)
3 always have a escape route planned in any circumstance (not always viable in some quests or locations, but having a plan helps)
4 this is a biggie for me, others may not have the same issue(my connection is good enough for me to get on..but just barely), but I always gauge my questing and exploring based on how long it takes the NPCs to reply to me, the longer it takes the more lag there is, if it gets too bad, it is time for RP and light exploring. If i do decide to take risks under those circumstances I blame myself when i suffer a loss (keep an eye on software OS updates that load without your permission, they can suck up bandwidth that can cause in game lag)
5 if you are on a DM quest, supplies supplies supplies, and what is the quest? is it one for a specific individual? if that is the case be happy you are along, you are a background cast member, trying to be the center of attention is not healthy for your character, just watch and enjoy the show. Most DM events I have had the pleasure of following along on are very entertaining story and action wise.
6 there will be characters your character will not get along with, for various reasons, be they dislike the race or subrace your character is, or other things, including your characters reputation (yes, characters can get negative reputations with out even really trying that hard) how you react to these characters can have a inlfuence on your long term survival. standing your ground when you are surrounded by a mob of banites may not be that healthy (with some exceptions, there are players who excel at PvP and win against overwhelming odds, if you the reader are one of them you can ignore this advice) know when to bite your lip and walk away, be polite