6 Resources you can access right now. 
Resourcing:
This word originates from Old French: Resourdre meaning “to rise again.”
Resource in trauma work is identifying our internal or external sources of strength, guidance, and returning to “center.”
Our nervous systems prefers slow & steady change over this rapid, sometimes tumultuous change that many of us are experiencing right now. Some of us cope better than others but mostly, we can tolerate slow change.
Our bodies are so wise, always orienting toward safety. Looking for places to embrace the slow.
I know what you may be thinking,
“That’s not me.”
“I thrive in a fast paced world.”
“I have to move fast to keep up.”
Or something like that.
I used to think that too. And the more I’ve studied and observed the body, I witness the wisdom in slowing down to hear what the body is saying. I see that our bodies are designed to move quick—yes—but not constantly like our current world demands.
Everywhere we turn, there is more to entice your attention. Here is my captivating question, what resources do you have available to you, right now?
Here’s a quick list of available and free resources to you right now:
- A positive memory. Full of sensory memories and details to keep you in the memory for 3-5 minutes.
- Your breath. Long breath in, longer breath out.
- Your connection to your skin. Feeling the container you occupy.
- Looking out into the horizon even if it’s in your office
- Moving your tongue along the outside of your teeth.
- Lifting your arms in the air and back down. Just move that body some way.
In the general sense, a resource to connect people to what they need. I’ve always wanted to be in the mix of what’s happening in the world of health and wellness.
In the safety sense, I have a consistent & even tone that people come to expect and look forward too. They know what to expect when working with me and that allows them to feel safe.
In the emergency sense, I can usually spring into action when an emergency is present. I can usually prioritize and delegate when the situation calls for quick and decisive action. Now ask me to make a decision for 6 months from now and I struggle—hard!
To be that resource takes diligence and continual effort in finding and maintaining my own resources.
That sometimes looks like verbal processing with my close friends or contemplation or just being quiet. Sometimes it’s being in nature (anyone else miss the cicadas!?) or reading a book for fun. And often it’s having sturdy boundaries around rest and quiet. I can’t produce constantly like I once did. It burned me out and made me sick. I can’t be on a strict schedule of creating content or I’ll go looney. However, I can put out meaningful, contemplative text inconsistently and that’s enough for me. Releasing myself from that pressure allows me to be present & space holding for my family, friends, clients, & students.
Let’s find your resources. This is some of the more fun work I get to support people in right now.
Written solely by Sara Newberry
