We all have a superpower that is just waiting for us to tap into. It is ready to help us improve our performance at work and support us in our day-to-day lives. It is powerful and innate. Yet it’s not well known, and not used to its full potential.
This superpower is our psychological immune system. It works subconsciously to develop psychological ‘antibodies’ that leverage our capacity for resilience and adaptation. It enables us to learn from adversity, train and rewire our brains, and protect against psychological damage due to negative emotions or difficult life events such as failure, trauma and stress.
This includes the stresses we face at work like important presentations, key client meetings and dealing with a challenging co-worker or manager. The psychological antibodies we create from these types of experiences can yield positive thought patterns, personal growth, problem-solving skills and even help with control of impulse, emotion and irritability.
Our minds are remarkably resilient and our brains exceptionally capable of making the best of difficult events. For instance, people often underestimate their potential to weather emotional storms yet – when these events occur – our psychological immune system helps shelter us from the impacts of these challenging experiences.
This special immune system works hand-in-hand with our emotional responses to learn to distinguish what we like and do not like, how we deal with and overcome challenges, and how we learn to adjust to our environment. Just as a healthy diet and exercise support our physical immune system, we can also consciously strengthen our psychological immune system.
So how do we do that?
A neutral mindset can be a powerful tool
First, we can try to move from a negative to positive mindset – or at least a neutral one. In general, we are hardwired to take a negative slant to unknown situations and stimuli. If the leap from negative to positive self-talk is a step too far, consider initially reframing events in a neutral or realistic manner. This psychological ‘rest and digest’ phase allows people to study their approach, their actions and the results, and more easily move beyond a naturally pessimistic mindset.
To move towards positivity and counter negative emotions, consider the following:
· Accept praise, compliments and compassion (don’t – as many do – deflect them)
· Try short-term journaling about a negative experience, to help identify and overcome potential issues
· Perform daily affirmations, mantras and gratitude
· Practice mindfulness, breathing exercises and guided meditation to center and refocus
· Cultivate a sense of purpose, which enhances orientation to personal goals
Setting goals and self-motivation strengthen the psychological immune system by enabling people to take control and enjoy agency over events. Without such grounding, it is easy for people to ruminate and spiral.
Taking part in physical activity such as walks and yoga also support a strong psychological immune response, allowing the mind to stay cognitively sharp and respond quickly to stressors. When researchers began mapping brain activity, they learned that the brain’s ‘default mode network’ actually became more active when shifting attention to something that requires less mental focus. While we still have much to learn about this network and how it works to support our psychological immune system, it is believed to be involved in a variety of cognitive functions, including creative thinking.
All this being said, these actions and activities will not support the psychological immune system if they are not done authentically. In difficult circumstances, being honest with yourself is the best policy. It’s fine to sit in discomfort while trying to find purpose in the experience. Realize better days are ahead.
Follow the entrepreneur’s example to boost your psychological immune system
The biggest supporters of a better psychological immune system – whether they know it or not – are businesses. Research by Cleveland Clinic Canada and the Global Risk Institute shows businesses want employees who can pick themselves up, dust themselves off and move forward with resilience – all hallmarks of a strong psychological immune system.
Successful entrepreneurs often show these tendencies – they are not necessarily smarter than others but they are often positive, resilient and have an unshakeable belief in what they are doing. By following the entrepreneurs’ example, we can strengthen our psychological immune system, better rely on ourselves in times of stress and be more comfortable taking risks.
Our psychological immune systems are powerful allies in helping us lead fulfilling lives and enjoy successful careers. They encourage us to be optimistic, grow from new circumstances and look forward to new situations. So tap into and rewire yours, to earn the personal and professional rewards you richly deserve.