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children, helping friends, working for a greater
cause, or expressing themselves in creative
ways. For physicians, staying connected to
your WHY, understanding the immense im-
pact of your work, and remembering why you
chose to do what you do may help you find
fulfillment, even in everyday tasks.

Accomplishments
It is probably redundant to tell you how im-
portant it is to feel accomplished. I will dare
to say that had you not had clear goals and a
sense of satisfaction and achievement when
you arrived to them, you would not have suc-
ceeded through medical school and residency.
Having goals and accomplishments in life is
important to stay in the path of thriving. Re-
examine your accomplishments and your
Interdependence and real sense of wellbeing is what makes it so ap- Engagement goals, set new ones if need be, and celebrate
emotional life.
difference between a pretend happiness or a

your achievements.
propriate in the times of COVID-19. We

Positive Psychology: need not forget the pain and suffering the and integrate into our lives the activities where Conclusion
Engagement is our ability to remain present
world is experiencing. But we can take some
We work in an increasingly complex system
time to explore and promote what is helping
we find calm, focus, and joy. Activities that
us survive, better yet flourish, through it. meet our need for engagement rush positive made more intense by the current pandemic,
yet through our Interdependence, we have the
Using our Shared Experiences to Flourish in Challenging Times neurotransmitters and hormones to our body, opportunity to forge a shared vision, express
PERMA infusing us with a sense of well-being. When our gratitude for those on this same journey,
By Jon Courand, MD At the heart of PP is the PERMA model, we are interested, focused and enjoying what and act with compassion for those who are
the five core elements of psychological wellbe- we do, we are in “the flow.” Incorporating suffering.
The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a ternational collaboration as teams of re- learned, the hopes, the skills that have sup- ing: Positive Emotion, Engagement (or a state mindfulness, the practice of being fully pres- We are all here to bring our unique talents
dramatic demonstration of our human inter- searchers, hospital systems, healthcare work- ported our survival and, in many occasions, of flow), Relationships, Meaning, and Accom- ent in the here and now might be the key to to this wider effort. Positive Psychology
connectedness, encompassing individuals be- ers, innovators, policy makers, manufacturers, our success. These “things” are the focus of plishment (3). These five elements can help us feeling fully engaged, and a powerful antidote through PERMA provides a useful roadmap
yond our families and local communities to epidemiologists, pharmaceutical companies Positive Psychology (PP), a scientific approach move towards a life of fulfillment, happiness, to burnout. to help guide us beyond a state of enduring
nations and the world as a whole. At times, and others come together in a global effort to to the study of what enables individuals and and meaning. one’s life to flourishing within it.
this interconnectedness has been viewed as a address the immense challenges of the Coro- communities to thrive. PP was “founded on Relationships
great risk factor prompting physical distanc- navirus pandemic. the belief that people want to lead meaningful Positive Emotions PP is based on the concept of humans as so- Jon Courand MD, FAAP is Profes-
ing, quarantine or even sheltering in We are not just interconnected; we are and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best Focusing on positive emotions is the ability cial beings, with a deep need for physical and sor and Vice Chair for Education and
place. More than a few times I have walked also interdependent. That interdependence far within themselves, and to enhance their expe- to remain optimistic and view our experiences emotional interactions with others. These inter- Training in Pediatrics and Assistant
through a store or my workplace and viewed from being a threat is actually a critical strength riences of love, work, and play.” (1). from a constructive perspective. Optimism is actions promote connection, love, and intimacy. Dean of Wellness Programs for GME at UT
my friends, neighbors and colleagues as threats which opens in each of us a space for gratitude, Researchers and theorists in PP have stud- a big component of PP since it postulates that Hence, interconnectedness and the relation- Health San Antonio.
to my personal health, or grew angry at those shared experiences and a focus for compas- ied human thoughts, emotions, and behaviors joy, meaning, creativity and happiness can be ships it creates are crucial to meaningful lives.
who chose to gather in large groups or delib- sion. Sharon Salzburg wrote in Real Love: The from a strengths’ perspective. In other words, developed through consistent work. As a ther- Resources
erately chose not to wear masks. Art of Mindful Connection “The combination PP is dedicated to the study and promotion of apist (AD), I sit all day with difficult emo- Meaning 1. https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/
Along the way, however, many of us sensed of realizing our distinctiveness along with our “what makes life most worth living” (2). This tions. I accompany others in their pain and Another key element that can promote ful- 2. Peterson, et al. Group Well-Being from a
with increasing unease the isolation and lack unity is seeing interdependence”. is often at odds with the health care approach suffering day-in and day-out. I must constantly fillment and life satisfaction is the understand- Positive Psychology Perspective. Int
of human interaction. We missed the physical The insight emanating from this realization which operates through the lens of a disease remind myself that many people are thriving, ing of “why am I on this earth?” Mark Twain Assoc. Applied Psych, (57) pp.19- 36,
connection of shaking hands, embracing loved of our distinctiveness along with our unity can mode looking for the pathological and dys- that even my own clients can feel very differ- said, “The two most important days of your 2008
ones or sitting down with friends to share a be profoundly transformational. Beneath the functional. PP relies on research and scientific ent and happy in other moments of their lives. life are the day you are born and the day you 3. https://positivepsychology.com/what-is-
meal. Despite that isolation we have wit- layers of unease and distress, there is the methods to identify then strengthen what I just don’t get to witness them. I find that this find out why”. Many people find the answer positive-psychology-definition/
nessed, perhaps for the very first time true in- strength that keeps us going, the lessons works in our lives to promote wellbeing. This perspective helps me reclaim control over my through religion or spirituality, raising their

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