Self-regulation is one of six core competencies we developed for well-being in activist organizations. Its descriptor is “I recognize when I get triggered and employ effective strategies to calm myself down, recover, and get back to business”. When we feel strong emotions, we experience physical and mental responses. Learning to notice what is going on inside of us, helps us to pause between our feelings and reactions. “Tap into the intelligence of your body”, says Delphine Oliver, “and tune into all your senses”. In her course DO life better, we learnt how to integrate embodiment exercises into everyday life.
Berenice Meintjes spoke how a trauma-informed approach gives more control to and empowers people. The focus is on understanding a person’s response in the context of their background and surroundings, rather than making a clinical diagnosis. Drawing from her experiences in peacebuilding in South Africa and other countries with armed conflict, she highlights the need to decolonize mental health. “There is no one size fits all approach, each person responds differently”.
At KORUMO we post video clips on our social media to encourage people to slow down and take a “social break”. Pause for a one-minute breathing exercise, find your power through yoga, or listen to birdsong. Follow along with Phumzi Manana, as she does bottom-up self-regulation with this yoga routine.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Take a moment to regulate your nervous system.
