Seven Values to Enhance Resilience

Seven Values to Share with Others

     We have found ourselves amid an incredibly challenging time to say the least. This more so even than the events of 911. While that inherently affected us all in very stressful and mournful ways. This current crisis is one not seen in over 100 years since the Spanish Flu Pandemic. What has also impacted us in a Global way, is the ability now to hear about the events in an instant and 24/7 manner due to the current technology. This alone has heightened our worldwide view of what is going on.

     Another way that is increasing the stress of it, is watching the numbers climb in a way we have never done before. Watching the tracker of the confirmed cases and deaths not only Worldwide, but as a country or state, is sending people into a panic. It is important to place a level of perspective at these numbers. Obtained from the Centers for Disease Control’s website, published on December 13, 2017 (three years ago):

“According to new estimates published today, between 291,000 and 646,000 people worldwide die from seasonal influenza-related respiratory illnesses each year, higher than a previous estimate of 250,000 to 500,000 and based on a robust, multinational survey.”

     These are numbers that are near and higher than the current fatalities we are experiencing. The main difference is, other than the presentation of this current illness, is this constant attention it is being given in the media, and with the newer technology of having these trackers we can constantly check. While the information is great to have on hand, it can feed into and increase our levels of worry, anxiety and stress.

     While I am not trying to belittle the losses in which we are seeing, and Influenza is also taking a toll in addition, I think it is important for each of us as individuals to keep a wider perspective. For instance: the number of deaths due to cardiovascular disease (CVDs) as reported by the World Health Organization:

“An estimated 17.9 million people died from CVDs in 2016, representing 31% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 85% are due to heart attack and stroke.”

     This is definitely a time that is challenging for us, mostly due to the additional stress of decreased income from those who have been forced out of work due to closings and sheltering in place orders. Also, from the difficulty of not finding items we need at the stores to take care of or feed our families. Sheltering in place which has decreased meaningful social interaction and support from our friends and loved ones. However, we are all doing our best to decrease exposure and spread of the virus. 

In the meantime:

     What can we do to maintain our resilience? How can we avoid succumbing to the greater FEAR narrative being pushed on us from every corner of our society? What can we do to make this time as positive and productive as possible? Is there a way we as individuals can lift our spirits and hope for an eventual stability?

     These are questions that can be addressed through actions we can all take that not only impact ourselves, and our own outlook and quality of life, but ways in which we can help each other during this time.

Seven Values and Acts we can Share and Support with Others:

• ·        Compassion: Being Polite and considerate to others. It is hard for us to know or judge what difficulty another may be having. Err on the side of compassion and be gentle with others.
• ·        Charity: Donating time, money or things you no longer have use for. Helping others when they need it the most.
• ·        Abstinence: Abstaining from being negative or hurtful to others and being gentle with yourself. Kindness can go a long way, help repair a bad day, while showing others you care.
• ·        Patience: Remain calm to continued sheltering. We can only accept our circumstances in a peaceful way if we want to get through it as strong as possible. Maintaining our own patience with help increase others ability to remain patient themselves.
• ·        Humility: Showing genuine gratitude and lack of arrogance. For example, putting the needs of others ahead of your own, like letting someone go ahead in line before you. Having a nice gesture for someone else can also pay it forward to others exponentially.
• ·        Temperance: Having emotional restraint to help maintain balance in yourself as well as how others are affected. When we can control our own reactions to stress, we can not only teach others (like our children) how to deal with adversity but also can help others maintain their own by being calm.
• ·        Diligence: maintaining persistent diligence of effort in our work and personal lives. This is our ethic, how we behave with our effortfulness. Being diligent even with the precautions we take will help alleviate potential infection to ourselves, our loved ones, and others we may encounter.

     Looking at these different aspects of how we can behave and affect other people can show us our potential positive effect. So even on your most stressed day take a moment and reflect and bring your best self forward. You’ll be surprised at how it can change yourself or those around you!

     When all else fails consider the following:

• ·        Wave hello and smile
• ·        Share cheerful stories or a joke
• ·        Say thank you to someone
• ·        Reflect on something you are grateful for
• ·        Take a deep breath and pause to look at something in nature, a tree, a bird, the grass, the clouds moving overhead
• ·        Remember “this too shall pass”
• ·        Nothing is forever, just enjoy today

     I hope you have enjoyed my blog and can take something from it that will help you get through your day. Please feel free to post a comment on any ideas you have done or think is helpful too!

May you be happy, may you be healthy, may you have peace,

Tina

Redwood Whole Health Coaching