Time for a FACES lift?

You’ve given thanks; are you ready to stress?

Some of you might already be stressed after preparing a Thanksgiving meal, Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping, and thinking ahead to the end of the year. Many things raise our blood pressure – family obligations, traffic, travel, end of the year stuff at work, holiday shopping (and shoppers), traffic…

Maybe you’re one of the few who can avoid stress or handle it well. For the rest, I invite you to consider your faces.

Dr. Dan Siegel, an expert in interpersonal neurobiology, has proposed that we are more integrated—that is, mentally and emotionally healthy—when we pay attention to how our lives are flexible, adaptive, coherent, energized, and stable—FACES.

Flexible – we are behaviorally and emotionally resilient in times of stress

Adaptive – we have the ability to grow and to adjust to changing circumstances

Coherent – our own narrative hangs together and includes explicit and implicit memory as well as emotional nuances

Energized – living with vitality, a sense of hope and expectation

Stable – an awareness of security and predictability, and having good boundaries

When we are healthier, we handle stress better; we don’t take our aggravations out on coworkers and family; our bodies feel better and we eat healthier; we find more joy and peace in the season we’re in; we stay connected and open in our relationships and communities; and are able to respond more generously to those in need.

How is your life reflecting FACES? Do you need a FACES lift?

Here are two resources to get you started:

The Mindsight Institute, https://www.mindsightinstitute.com

Dr. Curt Thompson, Anatomy of the Soul, a Christian approach to integration

We would welcome the opportunity to explore growth in any of these areas with you. Call or email if we can answer your questions or help you find additional resources.