Over the past year, all of us have been stuck in “survival mode” to one degree or another. This manifests in different ways, ranging from hoarding toilet paper and experiencing stress dreams, or just “getting through” the workday to make it to the end of the week.
Whether you realize it on a conscious level or not, all of us have been in survival mode for the past year. Pivoting work schedules and habits, reducing capacity, wearing masks, following new health guidelines, isolating ourselves...it all takes a toll.
To truly begin to live again — to thrive, both personally and professionally — we have to turn off survival mode.
Of course, that’s easier said than done.
Your Brain in Survival Mode
Our brains turn to survival mode in times of crisis, stress, chaos, and trauma. The survival mindset focuses less on long-term problem-solving and emotional regulation and more on self-preservation. Instead of having full function of executive problem-solving and decision-making, our focus is solely on our own safety.
What are the tell-tale signs?
Increased mental and physical fatigue
Inability to focus
Lapses in memory
Emotional outbursts
Impulsive behaviors
Neglecting basic health & wellness habits
Survival mode plays an important role in our lives. At times, it is necessary for mental and physical preservation from trauma.
However, being stuck in this mindset for a prolonged period — such as throughout a global pandemic — can be highly detrimental not only to productivity, but mental, physical, and emotional health as well.
4 Steps to Go from Survive to Thrive
1) Prioritize Wellness
Wellness goes by the wayside in survival mode. Part of returning to the land of the living is relearning and prioritizing self-care. This includes a host of behaviors and habits: exercising again, following great sleep hygiene, investing in personal relationships, and eating well.
Workplace wellness involves open and honest communication with your team, as well as giving yourself the grace to take adequate breaks. Use your vacation time. Find ways to enjoy your workplace and the people in it.
2) Acknowledge the Issue
Denial will keep your brain in survival mode. If you subconsciously believe that a threat to the future is near, your body and mind will act accordingly. You have to openly acknowledge the trauma we have experienced. And acknowledge where you are now and what you can do about it.
This survival mindset doesn’t end on its own. You will always feel backed into corners, scraping out by the skin of your teeth, and struggling until you address the problem. It’s not a switch to turn off and on overnight, either. You have to consciously and intentionally act to pull yourself out of the hole that you’re in.
3) Speak Intentionally
How we speak to others matters, especially in times like these. When you’re communicating with your team, beware of the language you use. Crisis-oriented vocabulary and the stressful, urgent dissemination of tasks and information can prolong the problem. Instead, give your team clear permission to focus on growth — on thriving — rather than just getting by.
Talk about long-term goals, growth, and positivity. Survival mode engages when we feel uncertainty about the future. In a world of public health crises, looming unemployment, and financial strain, reinforcing a sense of trust and security is essential.
Give your team — and yourself — the freedom to work towards the future rather than surviving day-to-day.
4) Regain Control
Survival mode will have you feeling like your back is always to the wall. The deadline is NOW and there’s nowhere to go. You will feel rushed, urgent, and unable to catch your breath. Part of breaking out of this mindset is regaining control.
You can do this by taking deliberate, planned action. Instead of being reactionary, be proactive. Refocus on your goals and the steps to accomplish them. Make sacrifices in your schedule and resources in order to reclaim control over your life. When your goals are clear and your actions deliberate, you’ll find yourself feeling less like you’re putting out fires and more like you’re building something worthwhile.
Breaking out of survival mode is easier said than done. Start small. Allow yourself grace. Be gentle with others. Focus on positive reinforcement and encouragement, both for yourself and for others!
How has the pandemic influenced your mindset? Share in the comments.