Ep 59: Trauma therapist Janina Fisher, PhD on how we can steady our nervous system during stressful times.
Sep 11, 2020
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Dr. Janina Fisher, a leading trauma therapist, shares vital insights on stabilizing our nervous systems—critical for supporting our children's emotional regulation. She discusses navigating collective trauma, emphasizing self-regulation strategies for parents and kids. Personal anecdotes highlight managing bedtime routines amid anxiety. Dr. Fisher introduces the Hero Wellness Scale for fostering resilience. The conversation also touches on the importance of family connections, play, and teaching children life skills, making it a compelling listen for parents in these challenging times.
Parents' emotional well-being directly influences their children's responses, highlighting the necessity for self-regulation techniques during stressful times.
Engaging in playful family activities fosters emotional connections and resilience, providing a counterbalance to the challenges posed by collective trauma.
Deep dives
Impact of Collective Trauma on Families
Collective trauma affects our brains and nervous systems in various ways, influencing how we respond as individuals and families. When faced with threats, the stress response system activates, leading to increased heart rates and body tension, which can hinder rational thinking. Chronic threats can result in feelings of hopelessness and submission, particularly impacting parents' ability to effectively manage their children's behaviors. The podcast emphasizes that parents' emotional states directly affect their children's reactions, meaning when parents are anxious or disengaged, children may mirror these feelings.
Navigating Communication With Masks
Wearing masks has created unique communication challenges, especially for children who rely heavily on facial expressions to understand emotional cues. The discussion highlights the need for parents to teach children how to read body language and other physiological signals in the absence of visible facial expressions. Fun activities, such as guessing games while wearing masks, can facilitate this learning and create opportunities for children to practice social cues with family members. This intentional focus on communication can help alleviate some of the social isolation experienced during the pandemic.
Maintaining Well-Being During Stressful Times
The podcast underlines the importance of self-regulation strategies for parents to manage anxiety and maintain emotional well-being. Simple techniques like deep breathing, positive affirmations, and setting boundaries for personal time can help parents nurture their mental health. Acknowledging and accepting one’s anxiety while seeking moments of joy and laughter is crucial for sustaining resilience during challenging times. Parents are reminded to create a balance of allowing their children to share in household responsibilities while ensuring they also carve out personal moments of respite.
Empowering Playfulness Within Families
Encouraging play and creativity within families can foster emotional connections and resilience, especially during stressful periods. By integrating family activities, such as cooking together or having fun science experiments, parents can help instill a sense of normalcy and joy despite external challenges. The podcast stresses that parental engagement in playful interactions can combat feelings of stress and enhance familial bonds, serving as an invaluable resource for both children and parents. This playful approach allows families to navigate their new realities together while strengthening their emotional well-being.
Dr. Janina Fisher, psychotherapist and trauma expert, talks about how to regulate our stressed nervous system because our children are dependent on our nervous system in order for them to regulate. That means rather than feel on edge or like curling up and going to sleep, we have to find a way to get out of our stress brain even under the current highly stressful conditions.
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