Converting pandemic challenges into ‘wholebeing’
“Never let a good crisis go to waste,” Winston Churchill famously advised. Going through tough times is the perfect moment to focus on understanding what will bring you higher life satisfaction.
The pandemic has provided that crisis. All of our lives have been disrupted. For millions who’ve lost a loved one, their lives have been severely damaged. A life-changing crisis of any proportion leads us to take a hard look at our life. What truly brings us joy? What’s most meaningful to us in our life? Is how we’re spending our time consistent with our priorities?
Recent employee surveys found that over 10 million
Americans have decided to leave their job to find something more satisfying. After a year of spending more time with their families, people are unwilling to resume commuting and long days at the office. They realize how fragile life can be and how valuable it is to spend time with loved ones.
Reflecting on the past year, Harvard psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar has just released “Happier, No Matter What: Cultivating Hope, Resilience and Purpose in Hard Times.” His research reveals five elements that enable us to convert the challenges brought on by the pandemic into what he calls “wholebeing.”
Ben-Shahar says that to be happier we must become a whole person by growing Spiritually, Physically, Intellectually, Relationally, and Emotionally. He writes, “By truly living these five elements of well-being, we build the resilience to carry us through anything — from a personal loss to a pandemic.”
Ben-Shahar’s SPIRE model teaches us how to become “whole again.” When we’re whole, his book promises, we invite happiness in. “SPIRE wholebeing helps you gain perspective as you continually grow into the highest and best you’re capable of, while deepening your connection to self.”
Here are descriptions of the five elements:
SPIRITUAL. To develop our spiritual well-being, we must create a life of meaning and purpose while savoring the present moment. Many people find their meaning and purpose through their religious beliefs.
Ben-Shahar invites us to expand our understanding of meaning and purpose. He encourages us to explore what makes our life worth living, long-term as well as in the present moment. We lift our spirits by savoring our everyday experiences: connecting to family and friends or cultivating our creativity. Longterm, finding and pursuing our calling in life gives us purpose.
PHYSICAL. To be at our best, it’s crucial to care for our bodies. Numerous studies show that our mind and body are connected. Physical activity not only improves our physical strength and cardiac health but also boosts our cognitive capabilities and mood.
Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night is essential for clear thinking and enhanced energy. For every hour of sleep less than the minimum, we lose 20% of our ability to function at our best.
INTELLECTUAL. We keep our minds sharp when we are learning new things and being open to new experiences. Stimulating our brains by acquiring new knowledge enlivens and enriches our lives. In addition, realizing that we can learn how to deal with problems gives us self-confidence.
Being curious opens our minds. We develop a growth mindset. We see challenges and failures as a springboard for stretching our existing abilities. Curiosity decreases anxiety and feelings of inadequacy. Instead, a growth mindset enables us to see challenging circumstances as opportunities to build our intellectual capabilities. As long as we can learn and grow, we can have some sense of control.
RELATIONAL. To be happy, we need to have a constructive relationship with ourselves and others. The core component of healthy relationships is having compassion for the people in your life, including yourself. Self-compassion involves relating to yourself as you would a best friend, overriding the voice of your inner critic.
Extensive research reveals that relationships are the most significant source of happiness. Compassion in exchanges with others creates connection, which enables us to feel that we matter.
EMOTIONAL. It’s essential to recognize all of your feelings, both positive and negative. When you’re feeling bad, your brain is responding to a threat. It floods you with fear-based feelings like anger, anxiety, or depression. These emotions are signals telling you to take action, which can take the form of reactions or proactions. Proactive people ask themselves what outcome would make them feel better. When an action that feels good comes to mind, they know how to direct their energy.
Ready to take the next step? Read the book to learn how to implement the five elements.