Seeds
Quilt
Haven
This short video offers a simple but fascinating look at something we all feel every day—even if we don’t always have the words for it: the connection between stress, energy, and tension. You’ll hear how these ideas actually come from mechanical engineering (yes, really!) and why they matter so much when we’re trying to understand our own stress or a child’s.
What makes this video worth watching is how clearly it explains the moment things start to go off track. When stress builds up, the amygdala flips into “be ready” mode, putting our muscles into a semi-contracted state. And while that might prepare us to spring into action, it also burns through an enormous amount of energy. Suddenly, the tiredness, irritability, or overload we see in ourselves or kids starts to make so much more sense. It’s a quick watch that helps connect the dots—so you can better recognize what’s really going on beneath the tension you see on the surface.
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Learning about the Thayer Matrix. This is a fantastic tool based on the work of psychologist Robert Thayer, which helps us understand how we flow through different energy and tension states. Check out the Thayer Matrix here and learn how to use it with one of our Certificate Programs.
I think it’s really interesting looking at stress and burn out through a scientifically lens. The video shares valuable insight on the relationship stress, energy and tension, I was not aware they were originally from building materials. if there is too much stress we go into fight or flight. the semi contracted state is what leads educators into getting burnt out at a faster rate.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts here, Emma! Your comment around educators is an interesting one. Knowing this, what, if anything, could be done? What role do you see Self-Reg playing here? I would love to hear more.
Aviva