As Paul Deegan reported in his blog, ‘mind games’ (http://www.catlinarcticsurvey.com/Mind_games), Ann, Pen and Martin are continuously running through a range of emotions from great highs to great lows (termed ‘reversals’ in the psychology literature). These reversals can occur predictably and slowly, or very quickly depending on whether the stressors are chronic (acting over a period of time), or acute (momentary). Hopefully, the following examples from the ice-team’s blog might help to illustrate this point, as well as demonstrating some of the key psychological skills that they employ to deal with these stressors.

The ice-team prepared mentally for the fact that conditions were going to be very hard for the first few weeks (freezing temperatures and tough terrain). As Pen comments in ‘rubblefield’ (March 6^th), “We are resigned to several weeks of daily discomfort and general misery, safe in the knowledge that conditions, progress and general wellbeing will improve over the coming months”.  Ann also commented in ‘the quitter’ (March 19^th), “If I am totally honest it is pretty horrid out here and not very nice but you just have to keep on going. If you keep on going then there is always hope at the end of the day”. These quotes demonstrate the high levels of mental toughness and resilience that the ice-team need to have at their disposal and how they work through the tough periods by thinking about various short and long term goals (from their next hot meal, to the promise of better weather).

There is therefore likely to be a general trend towards positive emotions as the survey progresses towards the ‘finish’ and the weather gets better. However, there are still going to be periods within this large time-scale when reversals will occur to negative emotional states such as frustration and fear. Again, these changes in emotions can be reasonably predictable or caused by unforeseen circumstances.  For example, all explorers find it extremely frustrating to be stuck in a tent due to bad weather, consuming precious fuel and food while the drift of the ice is taking them backwards every second! (‘Two steps forward, one step back’, March 18^th).

However, frustration can also be a momentary reaction to an unforeseen circumstance, such as Ann describes when she kicked over her dinner! (‘Good day, bad day’, March 5^th). Humour (even Martin’s notoriously bad jokes) and acceptance play a large part in dealing with these types of frustrating circumstances.

Fear is another powerful emotion which the ice-team have to deal with throughout the survey and which again can be chronic or acute. At the outset of the survey, both Pen and Ann expressed that their primary fear was one of performance expectation; that they somehow would let down the team (and the scientists) by not performing as well as they needed to. With lots of time to mull over potential problems while dragging their sleds, this sort of pressure can weigh heavily; especially when conditions are tough and frustration is high. However, the ice-team are incredibly experienced and will draw on their previous individual and team successes to build confidence on such occasions when negative thoughts occur. We have also seen examples of how they operate well as a team to make sure that no one feels like they are letting the team down (e.g., by allowing Martin to stop and change his dressings regularly, and by carrying some of Ann’s load when required – ‘chivalry on the ice’, March 20th).

Fear may also be an acute state, when there is anticipation of a potentially negative outcome occurring. Imagine seeing polar bear tracks (‘we are not alone’ – March 13^th), being woken up by the sound of the ice smashing around your tent in the middle of the night (‘fractures’ - March 3^rd), or waiting in a tent in terrible conditions while your food runs out (‘resupply’ – March 19^th). If fear of pain is something which might concern you, imagine being in Martin’s shoes (quite literally) in those moments every morning when he knows he needs to pull on his boots over his frostbitten toes. As he commented in his BBC news blog, “it is the worst part of his day” and his anguish is clear to be seen.

The fine line between positive and negative emotions and the reversals between these states are also clear from the blog reports. “Despite the hardships and truly inhospitable conditions, we are privileged to be experiencing the raw and savage beauty of the Arctic Ocean first hand. At this moment in time we would not have it any other way!” (Pen, ‘rubblefield, March 6^th). One great example of how the ice-team flip between fear and excitement was posted by Ann in describing her feelings when navigating on thin ice (in Good Day, Bad Day March 5^th). “Of course you start very tentatively, with each small step you nervously anticipate the worst.  But, as you find your feet and realize that you’re still upright, you have more confidence and once you see it’s good to go you can really whizz along on this smooth, fresh ice, which is really fantastic.  A real buzz!”

Imagine being Ann, as you step out on the ice hoping that it will take your weight, bearing in mind the consequences if it doesn’t! Also, consider that Martin has reflected that his biggest fear is falling though the ice and having to swim across black inky stretches of freezing, polar bear ‘infested’ water (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7900369.stm).

Hopefully this article has given you an appreciation of the mental stresses and strains which the ice-team are under as they battle every day to make ground across the ice. Try and imagine the reserves of mental strength required to deal with these chronic and acute stresses in one of the most inhospitable parts of the world. It takes very special individuals to be able to accomplish such a feat and while they may not be as fit or as strong as some high class athletes, their mental strength is peerless.