SAAM, or the Stoic Attitude Adjustment Method, is a practice developed by Dr. Mark S. Schwartz, a psychology professor, to help people remain calm and composed in the face of stress and other difficult situations. The core of the practice consists of four basic steps which can be used in daily life and can help individuals to become more in control of their emotions and reactions.
The first step of SAAM is ‘Understand’. It involves understanding the root cause of the problem or situation and the emotions which it brings. This awareness can be used to better understand the situation and to focus on ways to better manage and prevent it in the future.
The second step is ‘Appreciate’. Appreciation refers to looking at the positive aspects of a situation, no matter how small. This helps to create a positive mindset which can be useful in finding and creating solutions.
The third step is ‘Acceptance. Acceptance is seeing a situation realistically and accepting that it has already happened and cannot be changed. It does not mean giving in to despair or inaction, but rather putting all the pieces of the puzzle together and seeing a clear picture of what has happened and what to do.
The fourth step is ‘Maximise’. Maximisation involves using the knowledge and understanding gained in the previous steps to create strategies and plans to create the best outcomes possible. It includes making the most of all available resources, as well as developing strategies which can help to prevent similar situations in the future.
These four steps form the core of the SAAM practice and can be used in any situation or problem in order to respond in a constructive and positive way. By accepting and appreciating difficult situations or emotions, finding solutions and strategies to prevent them, and maximising available resources, individuals can remain calm and in control of their emotions.
By practising SAAM, individuals benefit from being in control of their emotional responses, and from being able to better handle difficult situations. Additionally, individuals can cultivate emotional resilience which helps them to stay more composed and focused in the face of adversity. SAAM is an effective approach for improving mental health, emotional well-being and resilience.
