will have to move in other ways - swinging on a chair, getting under a desk, wriggling, fiddling with things

Essentially it is a safe way to help the human body to do what animals do instinctively. When there is stress or threat of any sort, an animal will ‘shake it off’ when it is safe again.

Breathing out slows our heart rate and activates our restful parasympathetic nervous system. One normal breath in and a very long one out can help change things quickly - especially if you repeat this a few times.

She wanted them away - distance was her survival tool.

Tension in this area is also known to be linked to a poor parasympathetic response - so the more we can help this muscle release its tension, the more we strengthen our ability to rest, relax and restore.

I can no longer think well, plan or assess realistic outcomes. I cannot make good choices

Smell nice (!), i.e. no unconscious fear pheromones Bring a calm, assertive air of ‘I am in control of myself/this classroom/this situation’ Think about how best to defuse a situation or help the other person become more grounded/calm themselves (and saying ‘calm down’ is never the way to go!)

2. Use common senses Using games that focus on the senses can help interrupt the activation of fight/flight set-up and can help us notice the (safe) environment we are in. Find four things you can see that are blue or Find two things you can hear or Find something you like looking at

She set about this job she enjoyed doing at the best of times. Moving her hands slowly and simply, manipulating nothing more than paper, scissors, sticky tape and ribbon, she made things that looked beautiful.