Flex or Stress!

Welcome! to the different skill notebook! We are continuing with our series on executive function skills focusing on cognitive flexibility. This is such an important skill during this time of continual change. Change can bring on stress, especially when we are not leading the changes. That being said, adaptability is essential right now in order for us to be fruitful during these unpredictable times. Today I want to discuss how inflexibility leads to higher levels of stress, mental and physical. The different skill notebook is an equipping tool for the whole family. Smarter living and parenting leads to healthier, happier and thriving family environments and interactions. In previous articles we have discussed increasing the flexibility of our children. This article is geared more so towards your role as the parent and your ability to flex.

We have been discussing for the last month the skill cognitive flexibility. Thinking flexibly requires:

• mental ability to move from one situation to another and adapting to respond appropriately to the situation

• mental ability to switch between thinking about two different concepts, and think about multiple concepts simultaneously

• mental ability to shift attention to another task

Flexibility requires moving, shifting, switching! How easy it for you?

It’s easy for me because I have had allot of practice in my personal and professional life. With having to adjust to circumstances out of my control. I realized that the more rigid or stuck I was on a certain perspective or expectation, the more stressful it was. Not just for me, but for all those in my inner circle.

When we are set on an expectation and things to do not turn out as expected, this can cause a great amount of stress and disappointment, and can lead to an angry reaction. We are living in a time where constant change is the greater probability, and we are all required to adjust our plans. Remaining open to the possibility of adjustment to change may take the pressure off.