T-TRANSFORM

Transform. Change the lens. When you look at things differently, you see different things. Stuart Shanker once said, “See a child differently, you see a different child.” That pertains to everyone and every situation. When you consider the tension and energy levels of others, their stress responses or reactions will be more readily seen through a lens that is more tolerant and considerate thereby facilitating a new appreciation.

H-HUMANIZE

Humanize. Recognize that the behaviour resulting from stress reactions or limbic responses are merely defense mechanisms when we are in fight/fight mode. Use your knowledge of the Triune Brain, and with “Soft eyes,” acknowledge the difference between “poor choices” and “non-choices.”

R-REPOSE

Repose. Stop to take the time and reflect on your state of energy and tension levels. Be mindful. Use your knowledge and understanding of your present state, to find yourself within a quadrant on the Thayer Matrix. Be cognizant within yourself of the symptomology in each quadrant.

I-INVESTIGATE

Investigate. What is it that currently has you expending energy beyond your reserves? What are the drains on your system that cause your energy/tension levels to become unbalanced? What is it that you can do to elevate your energy, or tension level to meet the demands of the situation?

V-VALIDATE

Validate. Acknowledge that you recognize those stresses and strains that are either an excessive drain on your energy levels, and/or that require an energy or tension injection in order for you meet that challenge with an optimal operating balance.

E-EVALUATE

Evaluate. Self-reflect to see how well you did with your efforts to either up- or down-regulate and achieve the balance you seek. Will what you’ve learned help you achieve that balance more readily in the future?