In these uncertain times of economic, political and international transition / instability, on top of the oh so ‘relaxing’ holiday season preparing to bombard us…it is important to remember that we are creators of our moment-to-moment, day-to-day lives, not just recipients of life.
So move the spotlight away from the standard: “I’m stressed / overwhelmed / anxious / worried and try on something new. What you might ask? Well in addition to what we all know to do (and sometimes actually do it!) like breathing, slowing down, exercise and getting rest, etc… I invite you to relate to your life as part of the broader performance of the bigger play of life, with all of the relationships and scenes we are creating (of course without a script).
How? Practice to tenets of improv – Yes improv. Below you will find a hand out I give for stress workshops I conduct.
My favorite daily practice is to smile when I feel one of those feelings (stressed, upset, overwhelmed, anxious…) Try it and let me know how these practices impact on your daily creation called your life.
Stress workshop hand out: What Why and How….
WHAT (Did you say improv? What does that have to do with stress?! Keep reading)
Using tools of improvisation and performance, you will have an opportunity to play, de-stress and have fun as we learn
WHY (Well, do you GOT STRESS????)
Increase skills in responding successfully and creatively to stress in our lives
Enhance communication, ability to ask for help, conflict resolution capacities
Encourage flexibility and learning to respond versus react
Slowing down and accepting what is in order to move forward effectively
HOW (Some Rules of Improv)
Creating together without looking good or knowing how
o Make the other look good! / Complete versus Compete
o Take chances
o Having fun and being silly
Life as scenes in the play of life
“Take two” and other performances
o Can we take two? Start over?
o How are we doing? can we stop and do this differently?
LAB (Listen, Accept, Build)
Yes-And (to life circumstances, people, situations) versus No-But
Accepting Offers (whether you like the offer or not!) in order to build / move forward
Jenn,
Love what you are saying about improv and working together. I find that when people are stressed, they tend to go inward and be very private/individualistic about it. I find that when we work together, we see that others are also stressed and that we are not alone in it.
I went to your stress workshop and loved the improv performances–especially seeing those who were doubting Thomas’s at the end of it. They were transformed! Improv has definitely transformed my life–I’m a much better listener and don’t make as many assumptions as I used to…
Thanks and keep on writing!
I think that another good thing for many of us to remember is to think about all of the good that our lives have to offer rather than the stress that so often comes along with holiday season. I find that when I consciouly think of all that I am happy about and thankful for it helps some of the worries go away. Maybe this does not work for everyone but it works for me.
Sounds nice.
Actually most people are “addicted to their struggle”. You can`t talk to them like adults on the subject. These workshop people might be stuck in situational confidence. When they leave and go home, they will notice, nobody cares about their results.
For a lasting result, validation must be internal.
But the need for importance has a back-side.
Some people paint, others build fast cars, others “choose to go to the moon … ” and some people just go psychotic make their own life a hell, so they can get attention and validation, like a spoiled child.
The magic pill advertising is based on this behavioral trend.
I studied psychology, finished with marketing. Personal growth is my purpose.