Embracing challenge; building resilience

1. Embracing challenge; building resilience Increase well-being and enjoyment of life

2. Big Picture Introduction, overview Identifying challenges and effects Understanding the science behind it Building resilience; how it can work for you Redressing the balance; laughter -‘the best medicine’ Review, evaluation, take home gift

3. Outcomes: participants will have increased awareness and understanding of: daily challenges and their impact physiological effects of demanding lifestyles personal resilience levels ways of increasing resilience that will work for them and feel affirmed and inspired and be more able to effectively support their team

5. Definition: Professor Richard Lazarus, Professor of Psychology, University of California Stress is…. The mental and physical reactions we have when we feel that the demands we face are greater than our ability to meet them.

10. Resilience... is the process of adapting to difficult or challenging life circumstances.... Al Siebert PhD, founder of The Resiliency Centre, Portland

11. “Highly resilient people are flexible, adapt to new circumstances quickly, and thrive in constant change. Most importantly, they expect to bounce back and feel confident that they will. They have a knack for creating good luck out of circumstances that many others see as bad luck. They are adept at seeing things from another person’s point of view.” “When we empathize with others, we feel less alone and less entrenched in pain. As a result, we recover faster.” Al Siebert PhD, founder of The Resiliency Centre, Portland

12. Building resilience check list 1:Take good care of your whole self 2:Maintain an attitude of positivity 3:Live to learn 4:Open your heart 5:Hold on to humour

13. Take care of your whole self Maintain a healthy lifestyle Take regular mental breaks Spend time outdoors Surround yourself with people you enjoy Be a kind friend to yourself and show compassion

14. The 3 elements of compassion • Noticing, awareness of suffering. • Feeling moved by suffering, heart responds to pain, caring, desire to help, offering understanding and kindness • Realisation that suffering, failure and imperfection are part of shared human experience

15. Maintain an attitude of positivity Resilient people are characterized by an ability to experience both negative and positive emotions even in difficult or painful situations Find some silver lining in even the worst of circumstances. Thinking patterns trigger emotional patterns, so curtail negative thinking: increase positive thinking Notice and appreciate positive experiences

16. Live to learn Cultivate a learner mindset; new skill, hobby Learn to notice personal responses and cultivate understanding Learn to step back and review before taking action

17. Open your heart Being of service to others; more efficient serotonin use Receiving and appreciating kindness Counting your blessings

18. Hold on to humour Humour is infectious; far more than any cough or sneeze & increases happiness and intimacy Laughing reduces tension to more moderate levels Playful humour enhances survival Boosts energy and diminishes pain Protects from the damaging effects of stress

19. Laughter is good for your health Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after. Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain. Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

20. Create opportunities to laugh Watch a funny movie or TV show. Go to a comedy club. Read the funny pages. Seek out funny people. Share a good joke or a funny story. Check out your bookstore’s humour section. Host game night with friends. Play with a pet. Go to a “laughter yoga” class. Do something silly. Make time for fun activities (e.g. bowling, miniature golfing, karaoke).

21. Pablo Casals at age 95: “I am perhaps the oldest musician in the world. I am an old man but in many senses a very young man. And this is what I want you to be – young, young all your life and to say things to the world that are true.”Pablo Casals was a Spanish Catalan cellist and conductor. He is generally regarded as the pre-eminent cellist of the first half of the 20th century and one of the greatest cellists of all time.1876-1973

22. Pablo Casals “Each second that we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that will never be again. And what do we teach our children? We teach them that two and two make four and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what we are? We should say to each of them: do you know who you are? You are a marvel, you are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel. You must work, we must all work to make the world worthy of its children.”

25. How was it for you? Something I enjoyed.... Something I learnt.... Something I will do.... Farewell Take home Treats!

26. Annie Candeland Well-being Consultant/Trainer, Parenting Facilitator & Massage Therapist Contact details: a.candeland@gmail.com 078497870169