Thrive and Survive: Assessing Personal Sustainability

Stress is overwhelmingly present in our lives. Although we need stress to survive, many of us experience too much of it, which contributes to a loss of engagement at work, compromises our immune system, and limits our cognitive functioning. Although extensive research has focused on the causes and consequences of stress, little research has taken a comprehensive look at the experiences that may ameliorate it and allow our bodies and minds to renew and help us thrive. One of the reasons for the relative silence in research is the lack of an easy way to assess a wide spectrum of everyday renewal versus stress experiences. Based on medical and psychological research, the Personal Sustainability Index (PSI) was developed to compare the relative impact of a person's everyday renewal and stress experiences. This paper reports a validation of this new measure, both in terms of frequency and variety of experiences. The PSI could facilitate studies on renewal. In practice, it offers a more holistic approach to stress management. Because stress inhibits learning and dramatically reduces retention of coaching, training, or education, this measure can guide practices and prepare clients and students for more effective learning and change. What's It Mean? Implications for Consulting Psychology Cumulative stress contributes to a loss of engagement and cognitive functioning, and it reduces learning from coaching, training, or education. The only antidote is renewal in terms of the arousal of the parasympathetic nervous system. The Personal Sustainability Index is a measure of everyday stress and renewal. It enables studies of renewal and can guide practices and prepare clients and students for more effective learning and change.