You and your family are well. Your job survived COVID-19. So why are you feeling so drained? We’ve heard this question from so many of our patients, it inspired us to write about it. You may be OK on the outside, but if you’re not feeling 100% on the inside, it might make you feel worse, even guilty, for not being happier. Does this scenario strike a chord?
Just from the headlines alone, every one of us is being inundated by stressful events on a daily basis. And even if they are not directly affecting us, they can most certainly be undermining our emotional wellbeing. “It can be damaging to constantly be reading the news because constant exposure to negative information can impact our brain,” says Annie Miller, MSW, LCSW-C, LICSW, in a recent verywellmind.com article.
Experts explain that negative news can stimulate our sympathetic nervous system, or stress response, triggering the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. In one study, people who watched negative material — compared to those who watched positive or neutral material — showed an increase in anxious and sad moods after just 14 minutes of exposure.
The good news is that a little awareness goes a long way when it comes to protecting our mental health. Mental health experts from around the world have been busy publishing articles on this very subject! Here are just a few of the favorite tips we found for boosting your wellbeing this summer. And remember, we are in this together!
Build up your resilience muscle.
Resilience is the key to everything, according to Amit Sood, MD, the executive director of the Global Center for Resiliency and Well-Being and creator of Mayo Clinic Resilient Mind in Rochester, Minnesota, in an Everyday Health article. Rather than preventing adversity, which is impossible, the goal is to bounce back and grow despite life’s downturns, says Sood.
So, how can you be more resilient?
The great news is that you aren’t born with only a set amount of resilience. You can build it just like you strengthen your muscles. Pediatrician Ken Ginsberg, MD, developed The 7 Cs resilience model — Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character, Contribution, Coping, Control — to help children and adolescents build resilience. Fortunately, The 7 Cs are relevant for every age. Here’s a simple description of how The 7 Cs can be incorporated into your life: Learning something new every day helps build 1) Competence and 2) Confidence. Staying 3) Connected to your network provides comfort and emotional support. Being kind builds 4) Character and motivates you to 5) Contribute to the world by helping others. All these actions help you cultivate inner strength so you can withstand hardships and 6) Cope more gracefully. While we can’t control every aspect of life, we can 7) Control our response to it, and that’s a resilient attitude!
Here at Atagi Plastic Surgery & Skin Aesthetics, we are passionate about helping you achieve total body wellness, and we can’t wait to see you soon for your next self-care appointment. To learn more about our services or ask any questions, please call 303.327.7300 or fill out our online consultation request form today!
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