Practical Strategies to Create Calming Spaces & Supporting Yourself and Avoiding Burnout
/0 Comments/in /by Connie PersikeRead: 73-91
Capture Your Thinking
Before You Read:
- Can you share experiences where a calming space or tool helped you to manage your emotions? What worked and what didn’t?
- What expectations do you have for this text? What do you hope to learn about creating calming spaces and emotional regulation?
- What is your understanding of “felt safety” and why do you think it might be important in a learning or communal environment?
- What are your thoughts on the inclusion of snacks and hydration as part of a safe space for regulation?
- Reflect on the idea of creating an atmosphere of “felt safety” in a classroom. How do you see the connection between this concept and the strategies mentioned for co-regulation?
- What signs do you think may indicate that someone is heading towards burnout?
- Discuss your initial thoughts on the role of self-compassion in preventing burnout. How do you think this might apply to those in high-stress professions?
While You Read:
- What are your thoughts on the concept of a “calm kit” as opposed to a “regulation kit”? How does the terminology affect your perception of its use?
- As you read about different strategies for up-regulation and down-regulation, which ones do you find most intriguing or potentially effective?
- As you read about the seven actions to complete the stress cycle, consider which of these actions resonate with you and why.
- Reflect on the concept of self-compassion. How does the reading challenge or support your preconceptions about what self-compassion means?
- Pay attention to the discussion on shame and resilience. What connections can you draw between these concepts and your own experiences with stress and recovery?
- As you read about the P.A.C.E approach, consider the practicality and potential challenges of implementing each element (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) in real-life situations.
- Note the strategies suggested for educators to manage boundaries and self-care. Reflect on your own boundaries and self-care practices, considering how they align with these strategies.
After Reading:
- Having finished the text, how has your understanding of emotional regulation and calming spaces changed?
- What are the key elements you would include in a regulation kit after reading this, and why?
- Discuss the rules for using calming/regulation kits and spaces. Are there any you would add or modify based on your reading?
- How does the text suggest using co-regulation as a tool, and can you think of examples where this might be applied in your own experiences?
- What are the key takeaways from the text on how adults can effectively support children in achieving self-regulation and emotional well-being?
- What are some practical ways you could incorporate the seven actions to complete the stress cycle into your daily routine?
- How might you apply the mantras for self-compassion in your life when facing challenges or feeling overwhelmed?
- In what ways can you foster a community that supports both self-care and community care among your colleagues, friends, or family?
- Discuss the significance of the P.A.C.E. approach and how it can transform interactions with those who have experienced trauma.
- Consider how the self-examination questions provided could lead to a deeper understanding and connection with students experiencing blocked care.
- Reflect on the balance between being accessible and setting boundaries. How can one maintain this balance without compromising on care for students or self-care?
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