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Workplace well-being isn’t yoga on Fridays.
It’s culture, boundaries, and belonging. Free fruit, mindfulness apps, and Friday yoga are all nice perks. But if your company’s culture glorifies overwork, ignores boundaries, or treats people like cogs in a machine, those perks are just band-aids on a deeper wound and not part of the workplace well-being. Real well-being isn’t about one-off activities. It’s about the structure, expectations, and emotional climate of work itself. 🔥 Why this matters According to Gallup (2023): Burnout doesn’t come from too few yoga classes — it comes from: 🛠️ What actually supports workplace well-being? 1. A culture where struggle is allowed If people only feel safe when they’re “fine,” they’ll hide burnout.✅…
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From conflict to compassion: managing team disagreements with a trauma-informed lens
Workplace conflict is inevitable. But how we handle it, especially with trauma-informed awareness, makes all the difference. Conflict doesn’t have to be destructive. In fact, it can deepen trust if handled with care, empathy, and nervous system literacy. 🔥 What conflict can trigger (and why it matters)? For people with trauma histories, conflict can: Unresolved trauma makes conflict feel like danger, not dialogue. 💡 A trauma-informed approach to conflict. 1. Regulate first, talk later If emotions are high, pause. Let everyone self-regulate first. Safety before solutions. 2. Curiosity over judgment Shift from “Who’s right?” to “What happened here?”Understand each person’s story before jumping to conclusions. 3. Use grounding language Instead…
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What HR should know about trauma-informed workplaces?
Trauma is more common than we think. According to the WHO, 1 in 3 people globally will experience trauma in their lifetime. And yet, workplaces often lack the awareness to support employees who are living with the impacts of trauma or being re-triggered by the environment. A trauma-informed workplace is one that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and creates systems of safety, choice, and empowerment. ⚠️ What counts as trauma? Trauma isn’t just about war or abuse. It includes: As Gabor Maté notes, “Trauma is not what happens to you, but what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you.” 🧬 The science: what trauma does…
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Overcoming Self-Doubt: understanding, managing, and thriving
Self-doubt is a universal experience. It can creep into personal relationships, professional ambitions, and social interactions, making us question our abilities and worth. But where does it come from, and how can we manage it effectively? The science behind self-doubt Psychologists define self-doubt as a cognitive bias where an individual underestimates their abilities despite evidence of competence. Research suggests that self-doubt is linked to the brain’s response to perceived threats, activating the amygdala—the brain’s fear center. Studies have also connected self-doubt with low self-esteem, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome. Real-life examples of self-doubt Self-doubt manifests in different aspects of life, from personal relationships to career growth and social interactions. Imposter syndrome…
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How Trauma and Anxiety Interconnect
Trauma and anxiety are closely linked, often creating a cycle that can be difficult to break. Experiencing trauma can fundamentally alter the way the brain and body respond to stress, leading to persistent feelings of fear, hyper-vigilance, and worry. Understanding how trauma and anxiety are interconnected can shed light on why some individuals struggle with chronic anxiety after traumatic events and provide insights into effective ways to address these challenges. The Connection Between Trauma and Anxiety Trauma occurs when an individual experiences an event or series of events that overwhelm their ability to cope. This can include physical or emotional abuse, accidents, natural disasters, or combat experiences. Trauma disrupts the…
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Grounding Techniques for Overcoming Dissociation
Dissociation can feel overwhelming, like you’re not entirely present in your own life. It’s a coping mechanism that often occurs during or after traumatic experiences, leaving people feeling disconnected from their thoughts, emotions, or surroundings. Grounding techniques are practical, evidence-based tools that help bring you back to the present moment, reducing the impact of dissociation. Let’s explore what grounding techniques are, how they work, and how you can use them in everyday life. What Are Grounding Techniques? Grounding techniques are strategies designed to anchor you to the present moment when you feel detached or overwhelmed. They work by engaging your senses, thoughts, or body, helping you reconnect with the here…
