CURRENT CLASSES TO REDUCE QUARANTINE STRESS

DO YOU WANT TO TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT COVID-19... but not sure what to say, how to say it, or even when to say it?

Research shows that direct and honest discussions benefit all family members and create a setting that will foster healthy emotional development. In times of uncertainty and upheaval, clear and consistent messages build resiliency, teach coping skills and reduce stress in families.

Based on the award-winning national curriculum called Creating Lasting Family Connections, this class has been designed to strengthen parent-child communications skills and family bonding.  Family members learn how to safely express their emotions, thoughts, fears, and also show kindness and support for each other. 

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Our PARENT CONNECT Zoom Class consists of a series of 5 (60 min) sessions facilitated by Nancy Billington and Lauren Lanham. If you are unable to attend all 5 sessions you may also choose  individual sessions.

These classes are FREE and open to all  parents, grandparents and guardians. Feel free to forward our link to your friends.

To join our class please request your ZOOM invitation by email to:

Nbillington@Inspireinc.org

Be sure to include the session number and date.

SESSION 1:  Walking in Their Shoes

                     WED, April 29 @ 11 AM - Noon

            OR   MON, May  4    @ 7 - 8 PM 

We will focus on understanding your child's perspective in order to connect empathetically.

SESSION 2.  How Do You Feel?

                      WED,  May   6  @ 11 AM - Noon

             OR   MON,  May 11 @ 7 - 8 PM

An in-depth look into emotions, their effect 

on behavior, how to regulate our own  and 

validate those of others.   

SESSION 3:  Can We Talk?

                      WED,  May 13  @ 11 AM - Noon

              OR  MON, May 18   @ 7 - 8PM 

Valuable techniques to listen compassionately  and express our feelings honestly. 

SESSION 4:  Let's Make a Deal       

                       WED, May 20  @ 11 AM - Noon

              OR   MON, May 25  @  7 - 8 PM 

Identify parental  expectations and consequences and present them fairly for mutual agreement.

SESSION 5:  Being the Peace

                      WED, May 27  @ 11 AM - Noon

              OR  MON, June 1  @  7 - 8 PM

Discuss specific Covid-19 challenges and how to model the behavior you hope to see in your child.

Today's  unprecedented  health crisis has shaken our world and our lives to the core. Perhaps nothing causes more stress and anxiety than the unknown. With so many unanswered questions,  we must look to calm ourselves with the tools available where we are sheltered. A pen and paper can help.  

This class is based on Prof. James Pennebaker's 30 years of nationally recognized research which has connected the process of writing our feelings down on paper to better health. This practice can  result in reducing heart rate and blood pressure, minimizing stress, strengthening the immune system and improving your overall mood.  

Our guided introduction to the writing-as-healing process will help you to identify what 'keeps you up at night' and to express it, with pen and paper, for only you to read.

It is important to note that the healing aspect of writing has been proven to be in the process, not the product. The goal is not to create a piece of literature but to release the tension of worrisome thoughts by transferring them from your mind to paper. No writing experience or special skills are necessary!  

This (60 min) stress reduction workshop will be offered at 11-12pm and 7-8pm on Tuesday, May 5th, and will be offered at both times  on all Tuesdays through the month of May. 

Choose ONE session. 

JOIN either workshop by requesting your ZOOM invitation by email to: Llanham@Inspireinc.org        

We are all experiencing stress to some degree at this challenging time.

We strongly advocate self care, especially now. Below are some tips.

Feel your big feelings. Find safe ways to express them (journal, yell into a pillow or cry, talk them out with a friend or therapist, draw them, dance them, run them out) and feel them all the way through. Unresolved emotions lead to all manner of difficulty and health issues.

Take breaks from the media and news. There is a lot of bad news these days and you don’t have to tune in to the news any more than you normally would and maybe even less.

Increase self-awareness and resist the tendency to compare. This is a time to work diligently to tend to yourself. Determine what kind of activities and routines will work best for your unique self instead of doing what others say you should be doing.

Tend to your physical body. Move. Hydrate. Get enough sleep. Eat well. Try some new spices in your food or an entirely new recipe. We are sensual beings and require stimulation.

Tend to your physical space. Have at least one space in your home that is restful to be in. Make it clutter-free and calm.

Connect as you can. Social isolation can have a huge impact on our mental health. Feeling lonely is understandable. Use your technology to connect with those you know and with diverse platforms for entertainment.

Source: Psychology Today

Please go to our RESOURCES page for a 15 minute guided relaxation audio session and a 30 minute gentle exercise video.

OR

Join a Zoom "Intro to INSPIRE Meditation" class, Wednesday May 6th at noon, by emailing Llanham@Inspireinc.org

It has been estimated that stress can be an underlying cause of nearly 80% of illnesses. Stress comes in many forms. Often stress is so much a part of our routine that we fail to recognize it as a problem. These hidden stressors continually barrage us and over time they can result in a wide range of health conditions such as:   

• premature aging 

• degenerative disease 

• insomnia

• indigestion

• high blood pressure 

• heartburn 

• addictions to alcohol, drugs and tobacco