Fatigue, fear, and panic undermine our ability to think clearly and creatively, manage our relationships effectively, focus attention on the right priorities, and make smart, informed choices. So when faced with a serious crisis, how can we take better care of ourselves and build more resilience? One way is to become more aware of the three selves that influence our behavior in the face of threat and danger. The overwhelmed self is the most defenseless, vulnerable, and childlike part of us. The adult self is capable and can soothe and reassure our overwhelmed self. And our survival self is reactive, impulsive, haphazard, and often counter-productive. By stepping into our adult self, we can soothe negative emotions and choose to focus on what we have the power to influence — letting go of the rest.
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Late last week, we gave a presentation to about 20 chief medical officers from health care systems around the country. I began by asking them to share a sentence or two about how they were feeling, personally. Over the next half hour, their answers spilled out in a torrent.
