A simple daily tool to get the best out of you

(This weird looking hand gesture will transform your life as a daily reminder.)

Many of you may already be aware, but I streamed the 'Embodied Philosophy; Tracing Trauma in the science and somatics of healing'' last week.

The conference was amazing. it was my first online one- which meant I had to adjust my day around EMT time and was watching these into the early hours of the morning. Each speaker had around 11.5 hours to talk around their subject. Though I couldn't watch everyone I wanted to share some of the key findings that really stood out to me and how I would apply them in a therapy session or at home use.

Anneke Lucas

‘the unconditional model:

using ones whole self on trauma healing’

This was the first of all the conferences and yet the smallest and simpliest tool was a miracle breaker for me. Anneke shows a simple way to be able to 'check yourself' in daily life.

4 C's.

You can also remind yourself of these visually by holding up one hand and creating a claw shape, and then peel back the front finger a bit to display the ones behind (photo above)

Calm

Connection

Compassionate

Curious

She states that if I am worried in a situation, you are not calm.

If i am agitated in a situation I am not full connected to it

If i am not understanding fully a situation I am not compassionate

If i am not learning and thinking I know it all, I am not curious

All of this helps bring us to the now- like in meditation. The 4 ensure we are at peace with ourselves and work on our issues. The last two really resonated with me as its a deeper place I think a lot of us innately know but forget to apply.

If i cannot understand what you are saying, why you are saying it- the background and social, economic and political situations it comes from- and how you mean it how on earth can I help. This doesn't have to be as a therapist. You know your friends. When they snap at you or act out of character- you should know someone enough to FIRST BEFORE RETALIATING check in with them. Create these safe places, that's what friendship, work relationships and relationships are all about. If you cannot be safe with who you know how can you be safe in yourself. You are telling yourself sublimely that you cannot help others and as a result should not be trusted with your own self.

We all have moments where we feel we know something. We could be doing a beginner course again, or in a work situation where they have to go through basic health and safety, and we feel it to be a waste of time. I know I have done this. BUT we were all beginners which means this was all new information to us once. Even if we know all the content we can learn from the environment AND THE PEOPLE. Who is delivering it? What is good or need improving? Whats the environment, what don't you know about this industry? Ask the person n charge after any questions, bond and create connections.

I thought this blog was so important to post, especially today as I am exactly one month away from my dissertation, 20 days away from starting my practical course, in a new job and we can tend to get distracted or overwhelmed. I always come back to the importance of rest, and though this was delivered within a trauma conference it applies to our every day well being.

Look after yourself. Whenever you remember, check am I fully here. Is my mind wandering to other things. Am I making the most of this experience by being fully in it and not by putting pressure on myself to be something or create something from it. Just be and it will all fall into place

Remember

Calm

Connect

Compassion

Curious

Do this to your external world as well as internal.

Do what keeps you calm at least once a day (if you check out my Instagram @dance_therapy_tammie I post daily cards which show different techniques to help reduce stress in your daily life)

Connect to yourself, keep your loves and interests going. If you love tennis and work inn an office- go to tennis at least once a week or as often as you can. Have tennis inspired items around you.

Compassion. We all make mistakes and we are never perfect. STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP

Curious. What are you telling yourself today. What are you going to learn. What is your body telling you- slow down, speed up? If you have the urge to randomly do something do it.

Thank you so much for reading. I wish you the best day

Travel the world and spread magic where you walk