While the focus of our global community has been on the risks of infecting one another with the dreaded Covid-19 virus, even as we enter phase 2 recovery in B.C., most are struggling with fears and uncertainty. Beyond the virus, what remains certain, as always, is that we all affect each other, intentionally or not. While leading live seminars for over a decade and earlier this year, I have become acutely aware of my influence on participants, and more importantly, how they impact one another as they voice their views and opinions.
Similarly, moods, non-verbal communication, linguistic expressions, creative expressions, qualities of energy, and inspiration, in person or via technology, all tend to be contagious, though often unintentionally. I recall in my student days taking up knitting in class to paradoxically better focus on the teachings; then 2 days later noticing others taking on creative activities in the background while listening and participating. You may have heard from neuroscience about mirror neurons that naturally compel us to take on some of the facial expressions of the person we interact with. As psycho-social contagion circulates then why not use your discernment to decide on a positive way to influence others, especially as a benevolent antidote in these challenging times?
According to a Harvard Medical School study, published in 2017, optimism, for example, is associated with lower risk for mental and physical health issues and better longevity. While analysing data collected from 70,000 women, relevant to where they are on the spectrum from optimism and pessimism, optimists were significantly less likely to die from major causes of death in the 8-year period of the study. Specifically, when compared with the most pessimistic, optimists had 16% lower risk of dying from cancer, 38% lower risk of dying from heart disease, 39% lower risk of dying from stroke, 38% lower risk of dying from respiratory disease, and 52% lower risk of dying from infection. Infection! How relevant to our times!!!
As we are about to gradually return to our workplaces, you may choose to cultivate new ways to “look on the bright side” and to be a deliberate source of positive psycho-social contagion. What’s more, your influence on others could even help to prolong the lives of others as suggested by the above study. But if the idea of summoning optimism, inspiration or creativity within feels nearly impossible right now, it may be a sign that anxiety and/or depressive states are inhabiting your mind and brain these days. To learn how somatic, therapeutic counselling and/or holistic life coaching could shift your outlook, mind states, energies and help your authentic self come to fruition, you are welcome to contact me for a complementary consultation at isabelle@inspiredmomentum.com. And for those with an extended health benefit plan, most benefit providers cover my services at a given percentage specific to your plan.
