Stress is essential to our survival. We can harness our stress response to enhance physical and cognitive performance. However, overwhelming and/or prolonged stress, when unaddressed, can lead to predictable and preventable physical, mental, behavioral and cognitive problems. Recent advances in research and technology have shown how brain-body practices that work from the bottom-up build resilience and address how stress becomes written in the body. Dr. Chamberlain uses creative visual props to map the pathway of stress through the brain and body while sharing the latest science on why these strategies are effective. Participants will practice simple skills including breath work, muscle relaxation, movements and focused awareness that can be integrated into everyday life to promote resilience, self-regulation and healing. These tools are appropriate and adaptable for children, youth and adults in a wide range of settings and applications including trauma treatment and preventing secondary/vicarious trauma.
Learning Objectives
- Describe stress response and how relaxation response relates to stress response.
- Explain why brain-body practices are essential tools in addressing how stress and trauma are stored in the body.
- List three resources for brain-body practices that would be useful for you, your clients, and/or staff at your organization.