Workshop titles and brief descriptions are listed below. While each workshop can stand alone, participants will receive the most benefit by attending all sessions. Zoom link will be the same for all 4 sessions and reminders will be sent.

Session 1, March 2nd: What Happens In Vagus, Doesn’t Stay In Vagus

Got stress? The better question probably is, “Who doesn’t?” Our routines, lives, and social support systems have been turned upside down over the past year trying to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic. This workshop will look deeper into our body’s stress response system and introduce polyvagal theory, a newer way of thinking about our reactions to stress which posits that the nervous system is made up of three branches instead of the more well-known two. Participants will have the opportunity to identify signs and symptoms of stress, quantify their level of stress and assess their perception of it. Long-term strategies to lessen stress (and build resilience) will be discussed, along with ways to cope with acute stress and reduce it as needed throughout the day. Participants should leave with an idea of how to work toward the goal of stress reduction.

Session 2, April 6th: Freeze: Tag! You’re It!

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by life or circumstances that you didn’t know how to proceed, questioned your judgment, or doubted your ability to change things for the better? Much like the game Freeze Tag played as a kid, the Freeze response leaves us unable to move from our current state of overwhelm, leaving us waiting for someone or something to tag us back into life. Following up on the first workshop in the series, this workshop will look specifically at the Freeze response to stress and how it can manifest itself as burnout, depression, and shutdown. Participants will be able to identify signs and symptoms of the freeze response, assess their risk, and begin to explore strategies to get moving again and prevent burnout in the future.

Session 3, May 4th: Moving Mindfully: Strategies for Moving Out of Stress, Fatigue & Burnout

What is movement? Does it conjure up images of extreme exercise, contorted yogi masters, perfect bodies, or dread? Further, is it enough to only move our bodies as society may suggest, or do we also want to move our minds and spirits to be able to gracefully navigate our lives? This workshop explores personal definitions of movement and attempts to redefine and reframe the ideas we have around movement, thereby making it applicable to many areas of well-being. Through the use of mindfulness techniques and self-care, participants will begin to move and connect these ideas to mind, body and spirit in ways that empower and guide them toward change, as well as toward resiliency.

Session 4, June 1st: Forget Motivation. Got Drive?

What motivates you to make changes? If motivation is enough, then why do many of us lose momentum and find it hard to change? This workshop will argue that while motivation is a moving force that gets us going, it alone just may not be enough to lead to lasting change. This is where drive comes in, changing the trajectory by sustaining motivational forces. Insights into motivation and drive, as well as building awareness around personal drives and resiliency factors will be discussed. Participants should leave with the information they need to create an action plan that incorporates self-care and stress mastery into their lives, thus guiding them toward self-efficacy, change, and ultimately greater resiliency and social engagement.