Resilience Tip: Taking Back Control

Posted on February 3, 2021 by LeadingAge

Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn from Associated Clinic of Psychology

As helpers, we pride ourselves on assisting those who have lost control of their lives in some manner. Residents may have memory loss, an injury, a loss of independence or feeling they’ve lost control of decisions made about their lives. For leaders, it’s important to guide staff with a sense of control that’s flexible and also conveys confidence and security.

So, what happens when a pandemic hits and raises the “out of control” factor? As helpers and leaders, we may start to feel helpless and then ineffective. During COVID-19, we have endured extra time in crisis mode beyond what our bodies were built to maintain. It’s important to feel a sense of control to keep our well-being as healthy as possible in these uncertain times.

We still have some time to go in this pandemic. If we are to bounce back as much as possible, it will help to take back some control where we can get it.

Today, I encourage you to try one or more of the following to take back a sense of control in the areas where this is possible.

• Adjust your expectations of yourself and your team to match the pandemic’s natural ability to increase our responsibility and decrease our confidence in our abilities.
• Breathe in your nose, out your mouth a few times.
• Tense and release a muscle group (eg shoulders, fists, face/forehead).
• Exercise for any amount of time.
• Maximize routine in your own day and for your team. 

Notice recurring themes from previous tips. Also notice these are all ways your brain is reminded it has control of your body. Your brain tells your body to “do something” and it follows suit. This is a powerful way to start small for restoring a sense of control.  

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.