Week 5 of 12
Nervous System Awareness, Pause & Grounding
Listening to the body.
Participants learn basic, accessible language for stress responses and practice grounding skills to create a pause.
Learning objectives
- Describe fight, flight, freeze and fawn as common stress responses.
- Identify personal early body warning signals.
- Practice three grounding techniques.
- Build a personal 'pause plan'.
Teaching notes
- Use simple, non-clinical language; avoid overstating neuroscience.
- Grounding should be invitational. Some people find breath focus or closed eyes uncomfortable — always offer alternatives.
- The goal is not to never feel activated, but to notice sooner and recover more gently.
Examples & scenarios
Tight jaw
Kevin notices his jaw clenches minutes before he snaps at his kids. He makes the jaw his cue to step outside and take five slow breaths.
Freeze in conflict
Lena goes blank when her supervisor raises his voice. She practices saying 'I'd like a moment to think' and pressing her feet into the floor.
The fawn response
A pastor says yes to every request to avoid disappointment. Noticing the rush of anxiety helps him say 'Let me check and get back to you.'
Weekly action step
Practice one grounding technique daily for 2 minutes and use your pause plan at least twice.
Optional Scripture reflection
Offered for those who find faith meaningful; feel free to skip.
Psalm 46:10
'Be still, and know.' What does stillness make room for in your body and spirit?
1 Kings 19:4–8
An exhausted Elijah is given rest and food before guidance. How does caring for the body come first?