Wellness & Mindfulness
We can all struggle with anxiety and depression in our daily lives. First responders witness traumatic events and are exposed to chronic stressors that they may lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Mindfulness-based interventions can support mental health well-being by reducing the negative impacts of stress, prevent burnout, and increase psychological resiliency. Below are links to some helpful resources.
- Daily Dose of Nature: Daily webinar hosted by nature guides around the world, bringing you closer to wildlife we are not able to visit during this challenging time.
- How Boredom Can Lead to Your Most Brilliant Ideas: Do you sometimes have your most creative ideas while folding laundry, washing dishes, or doing nothing in particular? Learn to love being bored as Manoush Zomorodi explains the connection between spacing out and creativity.
- It is OK to Feel Overwhelmed. Here is what to do next: If you are feeling anxious or fearful during the coronavirus pandemic, you are not alone. Offering hope and understanding, author Elizabeth Gilbert reflects on how to stay present, accept grief when it comes and trust in the strength of the human spirit.
- A Life Lesson: from a Volunteer Firefighter Volunteer firefighter Mark Bezos tells a story of an act of heroism that did not go quite as expected — but that taught him a big lesson: Do not wait to be a hero.
- How to Step up in the Face of a Disaster: When a freak tornado hit their hometown, two sisters — realized they had to jump in and help. What they learned is: After a natural disaster, there is only a tiny window before the world turns its sympathy (and its donations) elsewhere — so it is important to be prepared for every aspect of recovery.
- Mindful Practices: Mindfulness reduces stress, increases focus, and improves your ability to deal with challenges. Practice with executive coach Henna Inam as she leads you in guided mindfulness exercises. (requires account)
- How to Manage Feeling Overwhelmed: In this course stress expert and performance coach Heidi Hanna, will teach you how to identify and conquer that overwhelmed feeling – so you can remain focused, productive, and in control in the face of whatever comes your way. (requires account)
- The Science of Well-Being: In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. You will ultimately be prepared to successfully incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life.
- A Guide to Managing Stress for Disaster Responders and First Responders: This guide offers information and tips to disaster responders and first responders to help them manage stress during crisis response.
- Understanding Compassion Fatigue: This fact sheet explains the causes and signs of compassion fatigue, which is the burnout and secondary trauma disaster response workers can experience. It offers self- care tips for coping, and discusses compassion satisfaction as a protective tool.