Day 23: Self Talk and Acceptance[]
- Watch Self Talk and Acceptance (video)
Title of the Activity:[]
- “Monitoring Self Talk: The Paper Clip Challenge”
Primary Learning Goals:[]
- Introduce the Positive Psychology.
- Introduce Monitoring of Self Talk.
- Introduce concept of non-judgement/acceptance.
Primary Learning Objectives:[]
- Review: Positive Psychology Training, Impacts, Outcomes
- Review: Narrative Habit, Self Criticism/Judgement
- Priming, Affirmations, 3/1 and 5/1 ratios for affective outcomes
Workshop Plan/Procedures:[]
- Watch video “Self Talk” in learning circle
- Survey group on self talk, affirmations, self judgment
Paper clip challenge:[]
- Split into groups of 5 campers in each group. Each camper is given one paper clip and prepares for each exercise by only using his or her non-dominant hand to hold the paper clip. Each group is challenged by staff to compete with the other group for the fastest time to link paper clips into a chain of 5 paper clips. The challenge is to monitor their internal sensations, their self talk, and their thoughts while engaged in the race to clip together the five paper clips.
- Debrief with campers in the learning circle.
- Review the metaphor of the Second Arrow.
Introduction Motivation or Hook:[]
- ANTS = Automatic Negative Thoughts, lets squish em!
- Acceptance is the most direct way to get back on track.
- Often we are not aware of our thoughts. We have habits of talking to ourselves.
- Bringing our thoughts into the spotlight of attention allows us to change our thinking habits.
- Our thoughts control our actions. Self awareness can help bring mastery of self talk.
Materials Needed:[]
- video, paper clips
Literature:[]
- The Mindful Way Workbook by Teasdale, Williams, and Segal.
Extensions and Explorations (Blog/Homework):[]
- As an informal practice, note self critical narrative thoughts that occur during mindful breathing practice at home. Keep a private workbook journal record of them and create new positive phrases to replace them with.
- Notice your thoughts and be kind to yourself. Say something nice to yourself.
Open Ended Questions:[]
- When do you notice the “second arrow” self talk the most?
- Do you notice?
Assessment and evaluation of learning:[]
- Blog reflections:
- Write five sentences (or more) as a reflection on today's learning.
- How much did the students blog about the process?
- How many words on the topic were written?
- Write five sentences (or more) as a reflection on today's learning.
- Rate this session on a 10-point scale
- Students rate content, from 1 (worst) to 10 (best):
- Campers rate fun, from 1 (worst) to 10 (best):
- Campers rate usefulness, from 1 (worst) to 10 (best):
Resources:[]
- This exercise was taught at the 2015 “Bridges Conference” in San Diego by Amy Saltzman and Steve Hickman.
Nutritional Bite:[]
- Dairy foods are great sources of calcium. Calcium makes your bones strong and helps you grow.
Mindful Bit:[]
- When watching thoughts: Observe, accept, and let go, without having to act on them.
- For ANTS, we can create a positive sentence that is a true ANT blocker.
- Keep your head in the game.
Navigate to Mindful Eating lesson #s:
| Calendar span: | M | T | W | Th | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1, June 29-July 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Week 2, July 6-10 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Week 3, July 13-17 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| Week 4, July 20-24 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| Week 5, July 27-31 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| Week 6, August 3, 4, 5 | 25 | 26 | 27 |