Cultivating Calm and Clarity: An Evidence-Based Workshop Series for Stress Regulation (Part 1)

In today’s fast-paced world, stress is unavoidable—but how we respond to it can make all the difference. Cultivating Calm and Clarity is a two-part, evidence-based workshop series designed to help participants better understand their stress responses and learn practical strategies for navigating stress with greater awareness. Grounded in psychology and neuroscience, this interactive series explores the “why” behind stress and introduces tools to help regulate it through thoughts, emotions, and actions.

By the end of the series, participants will:

• Understand the nature of stress, including its physiological effects and the key factors that influence individual stress responses.

• Learn and practice cognitive, emotional, and behavioural techniques to manage stress in daily life.

Who is this for?

Anyone looking to build self-awareness, resilience, and actionable skills to manage stress—whether in the workplace or personal life.

When you register you will have the option to identify if you will be attending both Part 1 and Part 2, or just one date. It is recommended to attend both parts, however not mandatory. The content in Part 2 will build on the content in Part 1 so it will be assumed that attendees have foundational knowledge on stress. 

Register now!

Register through Qualtrics. 

Detailed Descriptions

Part 1: Understanding Stress – My Stress, My Body, My Mind

Duration: 60 minutes (10:30am -11:30am May 8, 2025)
In this foundational session, participants will explore what stress really is, how it impacts the body and mind, and the unique ways it shows up for each of us. This session lays the groundwork for deeper reflection and introduces the science behind the stress response.

Topics include:

• What is stress? 

• Nervous system basics: The fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses

• The role of thoughts, emotions, and behaviours in stress 

• Factors that shape stress responses: biological, psychological, and environmental

 Part 2: Managing Stress in Thought, Emotions, and Behaviours 

Duration: 90 minutes (10:30am -12:00pm, May 22, 2025)
This session builds on the first by introducing tangible, evidence-based tools for managing stress through cognitive, emotional, and behavioural strategies.

Topics include:

• The Power of Thoughts: Understanding cognitive patterns such as rumination and automatic negative thoughts, and tools to support stress reduction through cognition. 

• Regulating Emotions: Developing a deeper understanding in primary and secondary emotions, how emotions present and practical emotional-regulation techniques. 

• Boundaries & Habits: Simple, sustainable ways to reduce stress in everyday life.

• Integrating Insights: An activity to develop personal awareness of stress levels and committed actions to support stress regulation. 

Facilitated by: 

Isidora Nezic, RSW,  Wellness@Work Advisor

Questions: 

Email wellnessatwork@uoguelph.ca