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News | Dec. 20, 2018

Building resiliency

By Elizabeth Stoeckmann DLA Energy Public Affairs

Holidays come, and holidays go. Often, the season is a good time to check-in with ourselves and conduct a self-analysis.

Building resiliency was the theme of the Defense Logistics Agency Energy’s Brown Bag luncheon in the Kunkel Conference Room Dec.18.

Melissa Schreibstein, Master Resilience trainer, Ready and Resilient Performance Center, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, introduced the Army’s Comprehensive Solider & Family Fitness program, a key component of the Army’s Ready and Resilient Campaign, as a resource helping Army soldiers.

“The Army realized we need to do a better job at helping our soldiers, their families, and the staff that supports them to be able to tend to areas of life that are not so cut and dry,” Schreibstein said. “We need to help people stay strong in the face of all the stressors they’re going through.”

The researched-based program, CSF2, rooted in positive psychology focuses on people’s strengths and behaviors in how they function and flourish in the face of hardship.

“We want to help people become stronger in all these areas of life so when adversity hits, they have coping strategies,” she said. “It’s not about weaknesses or struggling through something.”

Working through a handout, Schreibstein asked attendees to define resiliency and words like self-care, awareness, strength, understanding and flexibility.

“Resiliency is the ability to bounce back from challenges,” she said. “And most importantly, to grow and thrive through challenges … a continuation of getting stronger from the experience.”

She asked employees to share a personal story in small groups focusing on the skills, strengths, qualities and attributes that empowered them to bounce back from adversity.

Participants learned about competencies that contribute to resilience: self-awareness, self-regulation, optimism, mental agility, strength of character and connection. All of these skills that enable readiness and performance.

“As we go into the holiday season, it’s important to notice how the stress affects how we deal with people and issues,” said DLA Energy Chief of Staff Army Col. Stephen Davis. “Becoming self-aware of these things allows us to be more resilient not only in the face of holiday pressures and expectations but in everyday stressful situations.”

To continue to reinforce these competencies, DLA Energy will continue to have workshops and seminars throughout the coming year.

The Employee Assistance Program is available to help you manage important events in your life while meeting the demands of your work. If you would like to talk to someone, the EAP is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Visit the EAP services website or call 1-800-222-0364.