What are your favorite Stress Skills?

In the Five Keys to Shine Hope™ framework, ‘S’ stands for Stress Skills that help us with emotional despair. These are actions that help you manage your stress response (sadness, anger, and fear) and navigate challenges effectively. Stress is a normal part of life, it is how we manage the stress that matters.

Personally, I practice Stress Skills by meditating by the water every morning with my pup Yoda, focusing on deep breathing, positive affirmations, prayer, meditation, and gratitude. Stress Skills empower us to tackle life’s challenges with more grace, recalibrate our response, and foster inner peace when things don’t go our way. Learning the 90-second pause has been a game changer for me (and one I still practice daily!).

What are your favorite Stress Skills? Consider sharing with us on Twitter, Instagram, and/or Facebook @theshinehopecompany. Activating skills for hope takes intention and practice, and we learn best from others so please share your ideas so we can share with others.

Finding Hope After Active Military Duty

So excited to be featuring MaCherie Dunbar on the episode #41 of The Hope Matrix Podcast! MaCherie is an Air Force Veteran, Advocate, and Entrepreneur, as well as all around amazing human. In this episode, MaCherie reflects on her experiences transitioning from military service, navigating post-deployment challenges, and advocating for vital support services for veterans.

It is not easy navigating life, especially those that serve in the military. So we are super grateful to MaCherie for sharing her story, in service of helping others have an easier time navigating the transition. If you know anyone in the military, please do pass along as it just may make their experience a little easier. Listen to the full podcast episode here.

Hopeful Mindsets for Veterans

In case you haven’t heard, we have a new program for Veterans! Activate Hope inVeterans with our 8-module Hopeful Mindsets course, designed to help veterans navigate post-deployment challenges and daily life. Get your copy of the Workbook or Facilitator Guide, or license this program for your region. Email activate@theshinehopecompany.com to find out more.

The Hope Matrix Podcast on Campus Takes on Grad School

In this insightful episode of The Hope Matrix on Campus, host Avery Peel interviews Veronica O’Brien, research analyst at The Shine Hope Company and Clinical Psychology Doctoral Candidate. Veronica shares her inspiring journey from undergrad to pursuing a career in neuropsychology, emphasizing the power of breaking down big goals into manageable steps and remaining authentic throughout the academic process.

Drawing from personal experiences, Veronica delves into crucial topics like conducting effective research, finding supportive faculty mentors, and managing the pressures of academic life. As a dedicated mentor, Veronica offers advice on time management, overcoming rumination, and the vital role of community and mentorship in graduate school.

Whether you’re planning your own academic future or seeking practical strategies for life’s challenges, this episode provides valuable insights to help you thrive in difficult environments. Listen to the full episode.