Adopting a positive, yet realistic attitude toward the pandemic has proven to be the best approach.

In the end, our attitude is a choice: We can stay positive and take everything in stride, or we can complain, get upset, and assume that it’s the end of the world.

MONTREAL (PRWEB)
June 10, 2020

There hasn’t been much to smile about in the last few months. A health crisis, economic troubles, a mandatory lockdown and the ensuing protests have left many people struggling to find the silver lining. It’s during times like these, however, that a positive attitude can make all the difference – just not the rose-colored, Pollyanna kind, suggest researchers at PsychTests. A recent study analyzing the state of mind of a sample of the population reveals that those who have maintained a positive, yet realistic attitude throughout the lockdown are coping much better than their pessimistic AND “happy-go-lucky” counterparts.

Analyzing data from 2,571 people who took PsychTests’ Pandemic Resilience Test, researchers divided the sample into three groups: Extreme Optimists, Realistic Optimists, and Pessimists. They then assessed how well each group is coping with the pandemic fallout. Here is what the data revealed:

MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES

• 
  15% of Realistic Optimists are struggling with major or severe stress, compared to 24% of Extreme Optimists and 68% of Pessimists.
• 28% of Realistic Optimists have found themselves ruminating more, compared to 30% of Extreme Optimists and 83% of Pessimists.
• 24% of Realistic Optimists are experiencing anxiety or panic, compared to 32% of Extreme Optimists and 76% of Pessimists.
• 13% of Realistic Optimists are paranoid about getting sick, or experiencing somatization/hypochondria, compared to 23% of Extreme Optimists and 62% of Pessimists.
• 25% of Realistic Optimists are experiencing profound sadness, compared to 36% of Extreme Optimists and 77% of Pessimists.

ATTITUDE TOWARDS COVID-19

• 74% of Realistic Optimists believe that if they take precautions, like washing their hands and keeping a distance, they can keep themselves safe, compared to 72% of Extreme Optimists and 28% of Pessimists.
• 1% of Realistic Optimists believe that there is no reason for an infected person to self-isolate if they are asymptomatic, compared to 52% of Extreme Optimists and 11% of Pessimists. Along the same lines, 1% of Realistic Optimists believe that there is no reason for an infected person to self-isolate if they are young and healthy, compared to 57% of Extreme Optimists and 14% of Pessimists.
• 84% of Realistic Optimists believe that health is far more valuable than wealth, especially at this time, compared to 62% of Extreme Optimists and 67% of Pessimists.
• 6% of Realistic Optimists believe that hoarding food, supplies, and medicine is the only way to survive, compared to 31% of Extreme Optimists and 20% of Pessimists.
• 60% of Realistic Optimists believe that information about the virus that is posted on social media should be taken with “a grain of salt,” compared to 42% of Extreme Optimists and 45% of Pessimists.

DEALING WITH THE FALLOUT OF THE PANDEMIC

• 61% of Realistic Optimists and Extreme Optimists believe that the economy will pick up as soon as the pandemic is over, compared to 21% of Pessimists.
• 82% of Realistic Optimists believe that the current circumstances will teach us how to deal with pandemics in the future, compared to 57% of Extreme Optimists and 41% of Pessimists.
• 74% of Realistic Optimists said that they have been doing their best to help friends and family, and to be neighborly, compared to 57% of Extreme Optimists and 49% of Pessimists.
• 2% of Realistic Optimists believe this pandemic is a sign of the end of the world, and that humanity is doomed, compared to 23% of Extreme Optimists and 32% of Pessimists.

COPING STRATEGIES

• 60% of Realistic Optimists are taking time to relax and unwind, compared to 58% of Extreme Optimists and 25% of Pessimists.
• 78% of Realistic Optimists are revising their routines, making adjustments, and said they are adapting the best they can given the circumstances, compared to 67% of Extreme Optimists and 23% of Pessimists.
• 64% of Realistic Optimists are using humor to get through this difficult time, compared to 59% of Extreme Optimists and 20% of Pessimists.
• 71% of Realistic Optimists said that they striving to keep the current circumstances in perspective, compared to 56% of Extreme Optimists and 13% of Pessimists.
• 61% of Realistic Optimists said that they are focusing on the good in their life instead of the bad, compared to 63% of Extreme Optimists and 6% of Pessimists.
• 73% of Realistic Optimists said that they regularly remind themselves that things will eventually get better, compared to 68% of Extreme Optimists and 11% of Pessimists.
• 63% of Realistic Optimists said that in spite of everything that has happened, they are making it a point to look for the silver lining, compared to 55% of Extreme Optimists and 5% of Pessimists.
• 71% of Realistic Optimists have an outlet to relieve their stress, such as exercise, mediation, mindfulness, or talking things out, compared to 64% of Extreme Optimists and 29% of Pessimists.
• 54% of Realistic Optimists seek out advice from someone who can help, such as a therapist, financial advisor, or other form of support, compared to 49% of Extreme Optimists and 31% of Pessimists.

“A great deal of research has been conducted on the benefits of an optimistic attitude. Positivity is good for both your mental and physical health,” explains Dr. Jerabek, president of PsychTests. “However, it’s important to know how to differentiate between different types of optimism. Extreme optimists, although cheerful and hopeful, tend to be more reckless, and don’t use their common sense as often as they should. They take more risks, and believe that thinking positive will keep them safe. Realistic optimists are critical thinkers. They hope for the best but also plan and prepare for the worst. They maintain a positive attitude but are rational as well, and won’t pretend everything is fine when it’s not. Realistic optimists also know how to keep circumstances in perspective, how to manage stress, won’t allow themselves to fall into the trap of rumination and worry, and recognize that at some point, things will get better.”

“This is the ideal attitude during a crisis,” suggests Dr. Jerabek. “Some may argue that pessimists are better prepared for the worst because they expect it. Our study, as many others, says otherwise. Right now, the best approach to the pandemic is to adapt to what the circumstances require, and to recognize that as difficult as self-isolation and the economic downturn have been, the only way forward is through it. Things are already starting to improve. In the end, our attitude is a choice: We can stay positive and take everything in stride, or we can complain, get upset, and assume that it’s the end of the world.”

To schedule an interview with Dr. Jerabek, go here: https://calendly.com/ilonajerabek/30-min-meeting-with-dr-ilona-jerabek (30-min interview)

The free Pandemic Resilience Test can be taken from this link: https://testyourself.psychtests.com/testid/4106

This test is also available free of charge to all ARCH Profile clients (employers/companies), coaches, and therapists) who can offer it as a screening and personal development tool to employees and clients. Businesses can request a free demo for this or other assessments from ARCH Profile’s extensive battery here: http://hrtests.archprofile.com/testdrive_gen_1

To learn more about psychological testing, download this free eBook: http://hrtests.archprofile.com/personality-tests-in-hr

About PsychTests AIM Inc.

PsychTests AIM Inc. originally appeared on the internet scene in 1996. Since its inception, it has become a pre-eminent provider of psychological assessment products and services to human resource personnel, therapists, academics, researchers and a host of other professionals around the world. PsychTests AIM Inc. staff is comprised of a dedicated team of psychologists, test developers, researchers, statisticians, writers, and artificial intelligence experts (see ARCHProfile.com).

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AllenComm Helps the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide to Help Educators Successfully Navigate Online Learning

“This short training redefines the use of those in-classroom skills for the online environment to enhance educators’ feelings of competency and control in the distance learning experience.” – Susan Tellone, Clinical Director for SPTS

SALT LAKE CITY (PRWEB)
June 04, 2020

As part of its public service outreach, AllenComm has partnered with the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS) to create an online guide that assists teachers in the new digital learning environment. The online course is called De-escalation in the Online Classroom and has a special focus on helping educators adapt classroom skills for recognizing and de-escalating conflict or dissension online. SPTS has long focused on training adults in trusted positions to be aware of warning signs and at-risk behavior for teen suicide and this resource supports that effort.

“We are committed to continuing to focus our capabilities to serve the public good,” said Ron Zamir, AllenComm CEO. “While our country focuses on the medical care of so many Americans, we shouldn’t forget that mental health is of paramount importance. We are privileged to work with the experts from SPTS.”

Teachers have honed their in-person skills for recognizing disruptive behavior, but facial expressions or body language on a screen are harder to recognize. The recent shift of education being held exclusively online is dramatic and game-changing. The AllenComm – SPTS guide will be shared with schools and learning organizations for all ages of children throughout the country in hopes that educators will be empowered to adapt successfully.

“Many educators are as frustrated as parents by the challenges presented with remote learning,” said Susan Tellone, Clinical Director for SPTS. “This short training redefines the use of those in-classroom skills for the online environment to enhance educators’ feelings of competency and control in the distance learning experience.”

The online sharable guide is available to all educators. De-escalation in the Online Classroom is written for online schooling, but the learning techniques are applicable to any remote learning situations. This encompasses fields such as learning providers, youth organizations, school environments, and extra-curricular activities. For example, SPTS will share this online course with its partners at the international music school for youth, School of Rock. The music school will then send the digital course to their franchise owners and to school staff offering students online music lessons.

Getting the course into the hands of educators is more important than ever with summer breaks coming up quickly and the uncertainty for the next school year. The online resource was created in ten business days and SPTS is sharing this course with parents, communities, and public health organizations in their area and around the nation.

About AllenComm

For almost 40 years, AllenComm has partnered with Fortune 100 companies to create and scale transformative learning solutions. Extensive instructional design experience, innovative learning technologies, and agency-level creative teams enable AllenComm to stand out in the learning landscape. Considered one of the top ten firms of its kind in the country, AllenComm wins over 40 awards year after year for their solutions. Partnering with AllenComm to supplement and support human capital management needs has helped customers reduce expenses, shorten onboarding periods, and raise the impact of sales and compliance efforts.

For more information, visit allencomm.com.

About the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide

The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, Inc. (SPTS) is a non-profit community organization founded in 2005 by two fathers who each experienced a devastating loss of a teenage child by suicide. The organization is dedicated to increasing awareness and reducing the stigma of suicide through specialized training programs and outreach resources that empower teens, parents and educational leaders with the guidance and skills needed to help those at-risk of suicide build a life of resiliency.

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Jarrell McRae joins Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing

With our focus on reshaping futures for not only the clients we serve, but also our communities, we knew McRae was the best fit… he sees the vision for how improving mental health for a child and their family can create positive impact on future generations.

BALTIMORE (PRWEB)
June 04, 2020

Nexus Family Healing, a national nonprofit organization providing emotional, behavioral, and mental health services to children and families, has named Jarrell J. McRae as Executive Director of their Baltimore agency, Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing.

In this role, McRae will provide leadership and oversee operations of Nexus-Woodbourne’s residential treatment, vocational school, and treatment foster care programs. He will continue the organization’s goals to establish long-term positive outcomes for families by further establishing trauma sensitive care that focuses on the needs of each individual child.

“My professional desire is to ensure the implementation of clinical excellence, strategic organizational development, and the uplifting of the community being served,” said McRae. “I believe in Nexus-Woodbourne’s mission and vision to do just that.”

McRae is a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Licensed Certified Social Worker – Clinical (LCSW-C), the highest level of licensure in the state of Maryland. He comes to Nexus-Woodbourne with over 10 years in the mental health and human services field, most recently serving as the Chief Administrator for Hearts & Homes for Youth, as well as a Clinical Therapist at Tree of Life Counseling.

“With our focus on reshaping futures for not only the clients we serve, but also our communities, we knew McRae was the best fit for Nexus-Woodbourne. His extensive history in mental health and human services work, and his ties to the Baltimore community, proved to us that he sees the vision for how improving mental health for a child and their family can create positive impact on future generations. Our leadership team here at Nexus is excited to welcome McRae to our great organization,” said Bobbi Kochevar, Chief Officer of Child and Family Services.

About Nexus Family Healing:

Nexus Family Healing is a national nonprofit mental health organization that restores hope for thousands of children and families who come to us for outpatient/community mental health services, foster care and adoption, and residential treatment. For over 45 years, our network of agencies has used innovative, personalized approaches to heal trauma, break cycles of harm, and reshape futures. We believe every child is worth it — and every family matters. Learn more at nexusfamilyhealing.org.

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The excessive use of alcohol-based sanitizers can cause damage over time, resulting in dry, itching, cracked hands. We’re proud to provide an alternative that is extremely effective and is designed to improve hand health.

BOZEMAN, Mont. (PRWEB)
June 01, 2020

The study was performed on GermBloc Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizer Foam and GermBloc Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizer Lotion, two of the company’s top selling products.  Using an In-Vitro Time-Kill method, the effectiveness of the sanitizer was measured at separate intervals of 30 seconds, one minute, and three minutes. The results found both products to be effective in killing bacteria in as little as 30 seconds.

“In this day and age, communities are doing all that they can to abide by safe hygiene practices in order to protect themselves and others against the spread of bacteria,” says Founder and CEO of GermBloc, Roger Wilson. “However, the excessive use of alcohol-based sanitizers can cause damage over time, resulting in dry, itching, cracked hands. We’re proud to provide an alternative that is extremely effective and is designed to improve hand health.”

GermBloc Sanitizer products contain the active ingredient, Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK), which is now one of only three FDA-approved ingredients for use in hand sanitizers.

The use of hand sanitizers has become a cornerstone in both consumer and clinical practice for the prevention of disease transmission. Traditionally, consumers have relied on ethanol, or alcohol-based sanitizers, to kill bacteria. However, these revolutionary results show a major improvement in antibacterial activity when comparing the ingredients in GermBloc formulas with their ethanol-based counterparts. In fact, the Center for Disease Control recommends four times the amount of alcohol-based product per application, compared to GermBloc’s active ingredient to kill germs.

GermBloc produces a series of alcohol-free sanitizer products, including Hand Sanitizer Lotion, Hand Sanitizer Foam, and Smartphone Cleaning Kits.

GERMBLOC

Germbloc is the flagship subsidiary of Willspeed Technology, a US-based industry leader in the development and manufacturing of patented, alcohol-free hand sanitizers, bio-static antimicrobial surface protection, cleaning agents, and laundry rinses. GermBloc products are engineered to produce effective results in adverse environments utilizing over a decade of development. GermBloc offers patented formulas for personal care and sanitizing personal, commercial, and industrial surfaces. GermBloc is dedicated to the goal of helping safeguard operations, supply chains and consumers worldwide with the use of products that are safe for all ages, hypoallergenic, and non-GMO. GermBloc’s sanitizer advancements and formulas are designed with the mission to create better value and a better solution for our customers.

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The Family Meeting Game

Mental health problems are preventable even in times of extreme stress. Learning resiliency skills can prevent symptoms and other self-defeating behaviors.

NORWALK, Conn. (PRWEB)
June 01, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented level of mental health problems. In a report released by the Robert Graham Trust and the Well Being Trust, as many as 75,000 people in the U.S. could die of “deaths of despair” triggered by psychological problems related to the pandemic. Deaths of despair refer to deaths caused by suicide or drug and alcohol abuse. These problems are largely attributed to massive unemployment and social isolation. While this level of psychological suffering is almost unimaginable, it is only the tip of the iceberg. Stress associated with the pandemic has triggered widespread depression, anxiety, and other severe mental health problems. The American Psychological Association has predicted a rise in domestic violence and child abuse resulting from the stress of social isolation and sheltering in place.

“However, people need to realize that mental health problems can be prevented, just like physical health problems,” explains psychologist and author Lawrence E. Shapiro, Ph.D. “For decades, we’ve known that people can be taught resiliency skills which can help ‘vaccinate’ them against the effects of depression and anxiety, as well as behavioral problems like using alcohol and food to cope with stress. We can teach resiliency skills to children, teens, adults, and even whole families. These are difficult times, but we have the mental health tools to make a tremendous difference in people’s lives. Like vaccinations against physical disease, these tools can be used to help people fight off the emotional effects of the pandemic as well as the inevitable emotional stressors we encounter throughout our lives. Teaching people resiliency skills has even been shown to improve their physical health by lowering cortisol, the stress hormone, which in turn improves the immune system.”

Shapiro’s company, Between Sessions Resources, publishes psychological tools for counselors and psychotherapists to use as homework assignments for their clients. In the last two months, he has turned his attention to downloadable tools, including the interactive workbook Taking Care of Your Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic, which includes 44 worksheets to help people cope with specific pandemic-related problems and develop general resiliency skills. Shapiro notes, “Resiliency skills, like optimism and emotional communication, are teachable. These skills not only help protect us from the negative impact of stress and the effects of trauma, research also tells us they can help improve our physical health, lowering blood pressure and even boosting our immune systems.” Shapiro is considered an expert on developing emotional intelligence skills, having published more than 100 books, workbooks, and therapeutic games on the subject, including The Depression Workbook, Stopping the Pain: A Workbook for Teens Who Self-Injure, and Bounce Back: A Game That Teaches Resiliency Skills.

The company has also produced printable games to help families work together and support each other while dealing with the upheaval caused by the pandemic. The Family Meeting Game is a complete board game used to stimulate communication and positive problem solving. It contains questions specific to the unique family problems caused by the pandemic. The Family Dinner Card Game is intended to promote family support and bonding through humorous and thoughtful questions. There is also a Spanish version of this game. These printable games are available for free on the company’s website https://CounselingStore.com.

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Approximately 60 percent of U.S. workers have at least one chronic health condition and 40 percent have two or more. As the nation’s businesses move forward, and ultimately beyond the coronavirus pandemic, healthy employees will be critical to the success of each organization.

HIGHAM, Mass. (PRWEB)
June 01, 2020

Wellness Workdays, a leading provider of award-winning corporate wellness programs, unveiled its “From Surviving to Thriving” program to help employers improve employee well-being during the coronavirus pandemic. The initiative, which focuses on employee engagement, communications and population health management, highlights the future of corporate wellness and the role it will play in ensuring organizational success. A 90-day complimentary trial of Wellness Workdays’ benefits and wellness hub is being offered to US employers as part of the initiative.

“The current pandemic has reinforced the critical need for employers to prioritize employee well-being,” said Debra Wein, CEO of Wellness Workdays. “Data confirms that individuals with chronic health conditions such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes are at greater risk for complications from the coronavirus. Comprehensive wellness programs can help employees improve pre-existing conditions and co-morbidities while helping employers develop a strong and healthy workforce.”

Approximately 60 percent of U.S. workers have at least one chronic health condition and 40 percent have two or more. As the nation’s businesses move forward, and ultimately beyond the coronavirus pandemic, healthy employees will be critical to the success of each organization. Corporate wellness will play a significant role in improving and sustaining employee engagement and well-being and helping organizations transition from surviving to thriving.

Wellness Workdays’ initiative will support organizations as they move through this difficult period. The key pillars of Wellness Workdays’ “From Surviving to Thriving” initiative include easily accessible and frequently updated resources for employers on employee engagement, communications and population health management, including checklists and case studies, complimentary webinars led by industry experts, thought leadership articles, and 90-day complimentary access to Wellness Workdays’ wellness portal. While the technology includes all aspects of well-being, employers can choose to target specific campaigns during the 90 days that address their employees’ needs, including resilience and positivity, mindfulness, financial wellness, healthy eating and/or physical activity.

The turnkey wellness platform includes a wellness portal branded for each organization, individual and team wellness challenges, incentive tracking, biometrics management, and instant access to 90+ standardized reports and 30 languages. The self-service program administration allows employers to target health risks and behavior change while improving health outcomes, ultimately developing a healthy workforce that can withstand the challenges of a global pandemic. The 90-day free trial is valid for organizations that sign up between June 1 and September 1, 2020. Employers can visit Wellness Workdays’ website to learn more and determine their eligibility.

About Wellness Workdays

Wellness Workdays is a Massachusetts company with offices in New York, Florida and Texas that designs and delivers corporate wellness programs to promote employee health, productivity and a culture of well-being. Our subsidiary, OMC Wellness, based in Portland, Maine, provides population health management solutions utilizing onsite health coaching and proprietary technology to sustain measurable outcomes. A Certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise, we have earned industry recognition and best practices awards for our clients, which include New Balance, EMD Millipore, Putnam Investments, Cape Cod Healthcare, Brown University, the Maine Department of Transportation, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Rockland Trust, The City of Portland, ME and Norway Savings Bank. For more information about Wellness Workdays, visit http://www.wellnessworkdays.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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