The last several weeks of quarantine and emotional and economic stressors have taken their toll on our mental and physical health.

This last Sunday, our McCuistion program was joined by two prominent psychologists,

  • Michael Cofield, PhD, ABPP, A Diplomate in Psychology with the American Board of Professional Psychology and author of The Family Business Road Map to Peace of Mind and
  • Kevin Gilliland, Psy.D.– A licensed clinical psychologist and the Executive Director of Innovation360, who is especially expert in the mental aspects of staying healthy, most especially in these unprecedented times.

While they offered sound advice on healthier eating, drinking, exercise, sleeping, I was particularly struck by the conversation around resiliency, which they claim is a critical part of the health puzzle.

Apparently some people are better able to withstand and adapt to life stressors, adversities, problems and the issues that are part of life that in especially difficult times, such as today in COVID- 19 are monumental. Resilience, according to our guests is how well a person can adapt to the not so good events in their lives.

Those with a high resilience factor fare healthier. They can better withstand negativity, crisis, anxiety and grief. A person with strong resilience could regroup more quickly and with less stress. The negativity recording that plays round and round in our minds is not as loud.

When you consider the astronomic rise of depression and anxiety, which affects over 300 million people worldwide, cultivating resiliency seems a sound prescription to foster well -being, happiness, love, and peace.

So, what are the factors that allow some people to “bounce” back from life’s problems and traumas, regardless of their upbringing and circumstances, while others are bowled over with helplessness and hopelessness?

The answer- resilient individuals have a resilient mindset. They cultivate it! They have a certain set of assumptions and attitudes that influence and guide their behavior, despite the circumstances they are in.

A resilient mindset does not mean that an individual is free from stress and conflict. However, it does mean a more successful coping with pressures. It means feeling in control of one’s life despite hard, adversity and the circumstances one may be faced with.

We are certainly in unprecedented times. The sea changes we are experiencing because of the COVID-19 pandemic are not going away any time soon. The economic fallout alone is crippling many. So, cultivating resilience sounds like the smart thing to do.

Cultivating resilience requires we ask ourselves what I can do differently to change the situation and fortifying ones ‘stress hardiness. Our experts advise us to be careful of negative scanning- a running mindset of what is wrong, what could go wrong, all the terrible things that can happen and ruminating on it.

COVID -19 has sapped our energy. We are universally more tired than usual. Alcohol consumption is up by 74%, as is binging- on TV and food. Our experts advise to cope successfully with problems as they arise, reach out to others even if we are “physically” distant, and set some realistic goals and deadlines.

And the best advice yet! Walk your dog – even if you do not have one!