Resolve to be resilient Published Jan. 20, 2012 By Glenn Garcia 90th Medical Operations Squadron outreach manager F, E, WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- With the beginning of a new year, people may be faced with an ever increasing number of challenges which could impact how they make it through 2012 and beyond. As the economy continues to struggle, the military faces two major challenges -- corporate downsizing and the end of the war in Iraq. The downsizing will not only have an impact on programs and services offered by the Air Force to promote quality of life, but cutbacks in both the active-duty and civilian workforce may add additional stress to members who are worried about losing their jobs. The end of the war in Iraq may not be celebrated with parades and welcome home speeches. Instead many members may quietly return to their duty stations and families facing the challenge of post deployment -- transitioning back into traditional roles at work and at home and coping with the possibly traumatic events experienced while deployed. Sound overwhelming? It doesn't have to be if one focuses on having the right mental attitude, building resiliency by enhancing personal protective factors. In 2010, millions of Americans lost their jobs, but many may have felt they were being personally attacked and were alone in their circumstances. Focusing on blame and believing that one was personally targeted will only cause pain and resentment, which fuels anger and could lead to unhealthy choices such as smoking, over-eating or consuming alcohol. For a majority of Americans, what happens with the economy and corporate downsizing is out of one's personal control. When one realizes he cannot control the events happening, he can better adapt and then choose to focus his energy on the things in his life which he does control. One of the primary things one does control is one's attitude and the choice to stay positive, thus making positive choices no matter what happens. What are protective factors and how can they be enhanced? Protective factors are the foundation of resiliency. Thinking of protective factors as building blocks can help one understand this concept. In order to not be easily blown over, one must have a solid foundation made up of solid building blocks. Resiliency Protective Factors: Physical wellness -- eating right, regular exercise and getting plenty of sleep Emotional wellness -- self-confidence, emotional control and resolving past trauma Social wellness -- enjoyable hobbies, community involvement and healthy friends Spiritual wellness -- having faith, never losing hope and serving others in need Financial wellness -- living within one's means and being involved in financial decisions Educational wellness -- life-long learner, completing educational milestones, being knowledgeable Workplace wellness -- having the skills, training and knowledge needed for one's specific job Personal wellness -- having gratitude, purpose-driven life, goals for the future When people become distraught or depressed, they tend to focus on only one area of wellness and become obsessed with what is happening in this area at the exclusion of everything else occurring in their life which provides balance and protection. The foremost example of this is the young woman who contemplates suicide after her first relationship ends because she believes the relationship is the only meaningful thing going on in her life. Another example is the military member who, instead of seeking counseling, isolates himself from his family and friends because he cannot stop dwelling on what happened during his deployment. The thing both of these individuals fail to realize is there are other people, interests, supports and meaningful things in their lives which can fill the emotional void. So, for 2012, resolve to focus time and energy on what one has control over. Remember no matter what one does, sometimes bad things happen to good people. But, bad things do not have to break one's spirit or ruin one's life. Choose to live a balanced life and devote more time and energy to the people and things that bring happiness.