Resourcing
Resourcing is where it all begins. It is the ability to feel good, to feel nurtured and calm within yourself. If trauma is a raging river, the ability to resource is an island where you can rest and regenerate. The ability to resource comes naturally to some people and for others it is difficult or nearly impossible. Typically, the more stress and trauma a person has compromising their nervous system, the harder time they will have getting to a relaxed state. This is an essential ability that must be developed prior to attempting to work with trauma; think of it as a safety net without which the nervous system won’t release traumatic charge.
There is a five step protocol which we have found very useful when working with clients to develop their resources and which we teach in our trainings. Identifying and writing down resources is just the start of incorporating more fun and nurturance into your life. The more time you spend doing things that feel good, that allow your body and mind to relax, the easier it is to stay in more calm states. Over time, your ability to weather daily stress increases. It’s important for everyone, but especially for those who have experienced trauma or work in difficult situations to take self-care seriously. When we are resourced, we are more resilient, experience more options, are better able to relate, and are able to tackle difficulties more easily. As a side note, the more we are able to behaviorally resource, the less we need to rely on chemical resources (I.e medications or substances) to regulate our nervous systems.
Here are some questions that may help you identify your resources:
Here are some questions that may help you identify your resources: