Session 7: Integrated wellness - strategies

Activites

• How do I use my time? exercise and reactions; and
• Integrated wellness strategies exercise and discussions.

Session objectives:

• to banish the mindset that problems are insurmountable and that we have no strategies;
• to remind women human rights defenders of their power to make choices and to heal themselves (which in turn helps us to look at how to support others);
• to introduce a range of useful, practical integrated wellness strategies;
• to remove blocks to our access to sustainability strategies; and
• to make participants aware of their internal capacities – and that changing the culture of human rights work begins with the individual.

Adaptation notes

• The integrated wellness strategies exercise can be replaced or enhanced by exercises included in Facilitator’s Toolkit. In some cases, Day Two may be designed with a focus entirely on well-being.
• Integrated wellness strategy exercises can be held outside, in nature (which is preferable). They can be preceded by a silent meditation walk.
• For more challenging groups, the integrated wellness exercise can be replaced by an open discussion of strategies to cope with violence and/or stress.