An extension of: Listening to Scientists and Our Grandmothers: Taking Care of Human Beings

The tightening pressures at work and at home can make caring for ourselves (and each other) as humans feel like a luxury so out of reach, it’s naïve to consider. It may feel unsophisticated or outside of what we recognize as health or mental health standards of care. Caring for ourselves is not naïve or unsophisticated. It’s our own social emotional learning work. It’s cutting edge science.

In July 2021, SEMHTTC released a video series presenting seven evidence-based self-care strategies currently most recommended to promote health and mitigate the impacts of stress due to their ability to: (a) reduce stress hormones, (b) enhance neuroplasticity, and (c) reduce inflammation, as well as (d) support a range of other health benefits. To support the work of school staff and community partners during this difficult year of continuing pandemic stressors, SEMHTTC offers an interactive, virtual workshops integrating the video series with featured speakers and activities. In each two-segment session, we will review the evidence and best practice of a self-care strategy, and then engage with experts in the field to apply the practice in our own lives and teach the practice to others.

Series Learning Objectives

• Understand the science of effective self-care practice and SEL
• Adopt one or more self-care strategy
• Consider how caring for human needs can help buffer stress from impacting health.
• Access tools to facilitate/lead this SEL content with groups in your school/district

Our first two-segment session pairs Mindfulness and Movement.

Wednesday, October 20^, 2021 from 3pm-4:30pm ET*

*Participants may participate in one or both segments. Segment 1A: Brain Breaks: Putting Your Mind at Ease begins at 3pm; Segment 1B: Physical Movement Without Much Effort begins at 3:45pm. Please join the segment(s) of your preference at the designated time using the single Zoom link for the workshop.

Segment 1A: Brain Breaks: Putting Your Mind at Ease on Wednesday, October 20,2021 from 3pm-3:45pm ET*

Even with all our education, wisdom and professional skill, it can be difficult to get our mind to concentrate. It may feel as if our inner attention is being ruled by a pesky monkey swinging from one branch of neural networks to another, distracting us from what  we want to think about. This can interfere with us showing up in the ways we want to – for ourselves, and for others. Using mindfulness practices helps us quiet the distractions and improve our ability to focus on what matters to us.

Learning Objectives

• Better understand how mindfulness impacts the brain and body.
• Recognize strategies to support self and colleagues in quieting the mind.

Segment 1B: Physical Movement Without Much Effort on Wednesday, October 20,2021 from 3:45pm-4:30pm ET*

Movement helps circulate large quantities of oxygen to cells in the brain, supporting learning and mental health. It prompts the brain to bathe itself in chemicals that support learning, focus, stability, as well as a sense of emotional vitality. You deserve to take time for physical movement and enjoy these benefits. Together, we explore how to do this without much effort and as part of our usual daily routine.

Learning Objectives

• Better understand how physical activity impacts the brain and body.
• Choose strategies to support self and colleagues in moving around more.

Guest speaker:

Karen Peters is an AmSAT Certified Alexander Technique Teacher, a Certified Rosen Movement Teacher, and a Senior Rosen Movement Teacher Trainer. She holds as Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, and spent several years in academic teaching before diving below the surface into the rich world of the body. She currently teaches in Napa and Berkeley, California, and in B.C., Canada. Learn more about Karen’s practice at www.movewithease.us