Building Emotional Resilience

Picture of massive cave in Borneo from National Geographic. Photographed by Carsten Peter.

In moments of great change (transitions) we find ourselves using our personal and collective emotional capacity to adapt to the new conditions we’re facing. This pandemic is both an unprecedented experience in our lives and it’s occurring at a global scale, which means that we’re both dealing with this alongside everyone else and that there’s a lot of uncertainty about how to move forward.

We know that alongside strategies of response we need more emotional support and that there are traditions, practices and resources that can help us strengthen our resilience. That’s why on Tuesday, April 7th we shared important introductory frameworks and resources to help with Building Emotional Resilience. Although we’re in the midst of a lot of uncertainty, we can grow our awareness of what’s going on for us and the people around us, so that we can raise our capacity to go through this transition together.

Below is the recording and links to various resources (for the most up to date information follow bit.ly/EmotionalResilienceResources). We hope you find them helpful in this time.

1. Cultivating Awareness

Meditation Practices and Centers

1. 1, 4, 10, 15 min guided meditation: www.nytimes.com/guides/well/how-to-meditate
2. Vipassana Meditation: https://www.dhamma.org/en-US/index
3. East Bay Meditation Center: https://eastbaymeditation.org
4. App: “by and for the Black & African Diaspora” https://liberatemeditation.com

Yoga

1. Free online guided yoga videos: https://www.downdogapp.com/web
2. “Physical Space Distanced, Low Cost Yoga Offerings for All” yogaforsocialdistance.com

Journaling: http://www.contemplativemind.org/practices/tree/journaling

2. Managing Emotions & Needs

1. Feelings Wheel: www.simplemost.com/feeling-wheel-will-help-better-describe-emotions
2. Tree of Contemplative Practices www.contemplativemind.org/practices/tree (Website includes links to each branch of the tree. The image is also below)
3. Nonviolent Communication: https://www.cnvc.org (Needs Inventory, Feelings Inventory)
4. Intent vs Impact source: VISIONS, Inc https://www.visions-inc.org (also described in Agreements for Multicultural Interactions from East Bay Meditation Center)

3. Processing Pain & Trauma

1. Window of Tolerance: Link to Infographic from NICABM
2. Book: Mindsight by Daniel Siegel
3. Website: The Relational Center https://www.relationalcenter.org
4. Website: Relational Uprising https://relationaluprising.org

Additional Resources

1. Database: Mental & Physical Health Support during COVID-19
2. Resource Guide by TRACC (Trauma Response and Crisis Care www.tracc4movements.com) which includes webinars, YT recordings, suicide prevention & addiction recovery support links, LGBTQIA support, Spiritual resources, articles, etc. Free Community Care Provider support for Activists/Organizers, BIPOC/QTPOC and First Responders: Fill out this form
3. Resources List: Resilience Resources for Activists & Leaders by Claudia
4. Virtual Weekly Gathering: Irresistible Care Circle “a life-giving, interactive virtual gathering place for connection and care” every Thursday, 8–9pmEST
5. Website: Care for your Coronavirus Anxiety https://www.virusanxiety.com
6. Website: Herbalism resources http://www.herbstalk.org/covid-19-resources.html by Herbstalk a “grassroots, Boston-area herbal event” (http://www.herbstalk.org)
7. Guide: Leading Groups Online
8. Online Training Tools: Training for Change

Other Ayni Webinars:

• The Strategy of Mutual Aid
• Movement Ecology in Times of Crisis