Wellbeing at ISHI

In today’s world, we are all exposed to stories and images of trauma, which can affect individuals in a variety of significant ways. While some of the effects can be positive, such as moving us more deeply into compassionate action, when we are exposed intensively to potentially trauma-inducing details, as we are at ISHI, we may need to take extra steps to care for ourselves. These steps could include checking in on our colleagues, taking a break from the exposure, and attending to any signs and symptoms that we may need additional support.

Anything experienced in a group setting can be magnified by collective experience. Thus, sitting next to others; absorbing stories, images, and disturbing facts together; and sharing our own experiences can contribute to the amplification of our personal responses. Being aware of this can allow us also to harness the power of our collective in positive ways.

Attendees are encouraged to take short breaks throughout the week to reorient themselves: get some fresh air, get a drink of water, remind themselves lighter things in their lives—friends, family, pets, a moment of humor. Talk with a colleague in the room about another topic or call a close contact—simply to break up the intensity and re-orient to something lighter before continuing.

Physical movement is extremely helpful in resetting the body and mind. Short breaks to stretch work well. Even 30 seconds to reach the arms high overhead or to stretch the legs and rotate the ankles, one leg at a time, can help.

Body-wide shaking is a known method that mammals use in the wild to reset after intensive fight-or-flight engagement. It seems to help the mind to restore as well, when studied in humans. For 15-30 seconds, shake your hands, wrists, legs, and ankles (one at a time) or do some deep or shallow knee bends or trunk rotations, swinging arms wide as they rotate to each side.

At the end of the conference day or before going to bed, attendees can pause for a conscious ritual to help them process: It might be to pause with a moment of gratitude for all of the information and the chance to connect and help, and then invite in a break of some kind in which one consciously puts down the heaviness for a few hours, “I am inviting in a nice dinner with colleagues. A good walk. A wider perspective. A good night’s sleep.” Whatever feels compelling or helpful.

Journaling very briefly can help: such practices allow us to step back, process and sometimes to integrate information differently within us.

• Write for one minute about the day – whatever comes to mind.
• Then write for one minute about any other topic – whatever comes to mind.
• Write for one minute about something you are grateful for or something that grounds you and brings you a sense of peace or happiness.

There are wonderful guided visualizations that can help, including these:

• https://www.hayhouse.com/shop-by-topic/self-help/trauma/three-stages-of-healing-trauma-audio-download
• https://www.hayhouse.com/shop-by-topic/self-help/trauma/mind-body-exercises-for-stress-hardiness-optimization
• https://www.hayhouse.com/shop-by-topic/self-help/trauma/invisible-heroes-audio-download-new

Deeper and more comprehensive supports for those feeling more fully overwhelmed, distracted, panicked, paralyzed, grief-stricken or in a fog include the HelpGuide.org webpage on trauma or this one on Compassion Fatigue by Elsevier/Osmosis.