Resilience Tip: Bouncing Back to Purpose

Posted on May 12, 2021 by LeadingAge

Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn from Associated Clinic of Psychology

You've been trudging along throughout the pandemic. Months of serving others and trying to preserve yourself can leave you feeling little purpose outside of keeping on going. Even though we can generally find our professional and personal roles rewarding, at this time, we might question how helpful we are or how much we can enjoy from day to day. 

Along with other stressors, the pandemic makes it easy to be short-sighted about our purpose beyond just "getting through." Resilience can come from simply returning to things that remind us of our usefulness. This week try to notice how much you mean to others.

Then remind yourself of things that gave your life more balance or meaning and try to return to them briefly. For example:

• Encouraging team members to share how they have been helped by each other and how they have felt helpful can renew purpose. Try to do this yourself as well. 
• Returning to one activity that makes you feel competent, confident, or just “good” can help with stress from our daily grinds as well.

For more information about stress relief during COVID-19, go to www.leadingagemncoaching.com.

At no charge, you can arrange virtual staff support groups through LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation’s COVID-19 Staff Coping & Support Line project. Contact Terri Foley at tfoley@leadingagemn.org or 651-815-8137.