ESSDACK Resilience Quick Bites

Taking a breath is one of the easiest ways to pause and regulate. Whether we're up or if we're down, the type and rhythm of breathing matter!

Check out this link for 17 different types of breathing patterns: essdk.me/breathe

This episode is all about using HALT as a way to quickly (self)assess what's going on when someone is dysregulated. And before we move forward with anything, get your HALT addressed first.

Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.

Our bodies are smarter than we are. The central nervous system, including the vagus nerve, drives our bodies toward regulation and healing if we can learn to tune in and work with it. One of the first steps is tracking those internal sensations.

At times, every human being gets nervous or feels less than. And it shows up in ways we show up to events, situations, and relationships. Today, we're sharing a quick hack to get our bodies to trick our minds into feeling more confident!

Eric takes us through the idea of using Focused Attention Practices (FoAP), Community-Building Circles, Strengthening Relationships, and Anchor Charts to help teach/learn and use the various strategies.

Listen, Affirm, Respond, Ask questions

The LARA strategy helps us Seek the Cause of situations that arise instead of just pushing forward. It's a powerful tool that helps others feel seen & heard in a moment of dysregulation or struggle. And it helps keep us clear and out of assumptions-mode when dealing with other humans.

Learn more about LARA here: https://sparqtools.org/lara/

There are ways we can talk with other humans that open more productive dialogue, understanding, and, ultimately change. Today's episode is all about Non-Violent Communication and Honest Expression. NVC is a term that puts people on edge, but to learn more about what it is and how we can begin to use it listen in. Also check out this video (Nonviolent Communication: An Overview & Role-Play Demonstration) https://youtu.be/8b7NOYMuFCQ?si=_LGAN6ZnXAlstp0d&t=83 from the Florida Institute of Child Welfare to see it in action.

We've all done it. We see a kiddo do a thing and the words just come out of our mouths. Later, when we think on it, we know we could have done better, but we were just so shocked/angry/surprised in that moment!

Today's episode is all about developing a pause button. Join us!

Every human, young or old, deserves to know at least one person is in their corner, no matter what. And while counselors, therapists, and social workers are vital in our communities (including schools), we know more than we think. Enter the Enlightened Witness.

Read more here.

https://medium.com/@OllyAlexander/your-enlightened-witness-660f41bcdeeb