How do you create stress-relieving workshops?

Some of the ways that I get started in planning a stress management workshop is first and foremost speaking to the head of the target audience. I want to get a feel for what their job roles are, what the current corporate environment is like, has there been any significant changes that may impact the employees morale, etc. Then, I want to explore how I can individualize a workshop that will zero in on their unique needs and also teach life-changing day techniques that will support them both personally and professionally.

All strategies will work for some people some or most of the time. I find that understanding stress and stress management required a deeper understanding of stress and differentiating it from accumulated stress over time. The neurobiological explication of the window of tolerance (WOT) provides a very useful conversational tool to guide conversations to 'tailor' to the 'audience.' It can help them to reflect on their own needs and goals, how their stress coping skills are not working as well for them now. To be curious about what has changed? What needs to change and how can may we facilitate and support that change process for desired and preferred outcomes?

Formulate a workshop theme that engages the concerns of your employees. Stick to a singular, overarching theme and employ an imaginative title that distinctly states the workshop's central motif while inciting curiosity. Try something like "Smash Your Own Glass Ceiling; How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset," or "Beat the Winter Blues – Practices for Building Positivity."

I recently found an old invoice from the Amsterdam Hilton , an early stress management course I ran in 1982… and wondered how long I’d been about, how laws have changed since then and how little I do differently ??

Plan a stress workshop that's not just insightful but also something that gives your audience a practical experience of techniques that help relieve stress. Starting with a stress symptom self- reporting checklist will ensure that the audience build self awareness and gets involved in the workshop from the word get go! Once done, the next step should be adding more insight about the source and impact of those symptoms. The more insightful a workshop is, the higher the impact. Build up the knowledge to help the audience identify how to deal with stress in the long term as well as practicing some easy to do techniques that can lead to immediate stress relief such as box breathing, mindfulness practice, etc.

I agree that balancing theory and practice is critical to keep their attention and also provide them well-needed experience with the mindfulness techniques themselves. I like the idea of sharing the concepts and practicing them afterwards, as it keeps them engaged and allows them to integrate the concepts.

First and foremost, to truly embed the knowledge and strategies, free up a budget for multi-session workshops. This way, it doesn't become a checkbox exercise. Always make it interactive and self-reflective. In this way, the information starts to become part of a participant's 'DNA'. Creating dialogue, especially if it's a team session, is critical. It starts to open up a subject that is often viewed as taboo. Vary the experience. Discussions in a plenary, dyad, or triad format along with gaming, journaling, VR, help to make it 'stick'.

Offer some variety! A workshop that involves physical activity will be a perfect for some people, but will be a big NO for others. Some will do great in a meditation workshop, while others will benefit more from something hands-on or creative. If you offer a couple different options that address different demographics, personalities, and needs, you will have more of an impact.

Craft a dynamic workshop that merges learning with interactive components such as movement, breath work, team-based games, and writing exercises. The workshops that generate the most buzz are those that strike a balance between collaborative activities fostering teamwork and collaboration and individual introspection through writing or breathing exercises. Thorough research on the audience beforehand is crucial to tailor activities effectively, ensuring their suitability and the overall success of the workshop.

The layout of the room and the available resources are important in planning an effective workshop. I ask questions about the physical space and resources at the onset of the planning, and supplement my own equipment as needed. I always make sure to arrive to the space at least 15-20 minutes earlier to set up and modify as needed.

Organizing materials and resources for a workshop is often the greatest challenge in workshop facilitation. Although you may not be directly responsible, logistical challenges can swiftly undermine your standing within the collaborating group. To proactively address this, establish communication via email with the space coordinator well in advance, outlining the requisite resources. On the day of the workshop, ensure an early arrival to meticulously set up the space and test equipment ahead of participant engagement. This additional investment in preparation will yield time-saving dividends during the workshop and notably bolster your professional reputation.

Definitely recommend taking some facilitation training. It's a practice that is both more subtle and more complex that it seems on the surface. A good source for info is the International Association of Facilitators (IAF)

Being an effective facilitator is integral when conducting group workshops. I welcome questions and comments and also ask them for contributions. This keeps the participants actively engaged rather than feeling they are just being spoken to. I also use humor to lighten the mood and help make the concepts I am teaching not be so cerebral but tangible.

Know your stuff (you are the expert), keep it practical and science based. Don't assume but ask questions (both in prep before and during a session) to get to know what they know. Ask for their input - what works/has worked for them in the past. What are their special tips/strategies.

As facilitator, you are in charge of the seamless progression of your workshop. Keep in mind that the workshop is a comprehensive journey, commencing from the participants' entry into the room and concluding when they depart. Utilize your voice, energy, and demeanor to craft deliberate crescendos and moments of repose throughout the workshop's duration. This conscious facilitation technique will keep your participants engaged and curious for whatever will come next.

I agree with Susan that timely feedback is essential. I also always follow up a session with a detailed digital summary. And I encourage them to use the summary to engage their colleagues in conversation around the topics: 'did you know that ...' can open up people to speak about a topic that's still often viewed as taboo in the workplace.

I think it is important to be timely in your ask of feedback so that your workshop is fresh on their minds. Many of the workshops that I teach are ones in which there are many other presentations as well during a retreat setting. The participants are overloaded with so much information! I thank them for the opportunity to share my passion and ask them for helpful feedback and comments to allow others to get a feel for my work. Timing is crucial- sometimes waiting for them to be back home after an out of town retreat is helpful if they are still away from home- yet not waiting too long, either.

Initiate a follow-up with your participants the day after your workshop, when the information is fresh in their thoughts. Request feedback through concise formats like testimonials or brief surveys, prioritizing methods that don't demand extensive time. Considering participants' likely commitments, it's crucial to avoid burdening them further. Establish an uncomplicated feedback process that participants can engage with effortlessly, ensuring a stress-free participation experience.

All of the techniques listed above are GREAT, really good. But ultimately they are coping strategies. Imagine for example you have to cook for 100 people. You could argue that this might be a stressful endeavour. But you wouldn’t argue that meditation or yoga or breathing exercises were the way to manage that would you? You would map out a clear process for success. You might speak to your team and ask how they like to be prepared and communicated with. You would look at what could go wrong and create contingencies. You might ask for advice from some more experienced. You would make sure you got a good night sleep and fed yourself well. We need to stop treating stress like an abstract thing, it’s not that.

Starting off with first workshops, it may be useful to have a door prize such as a book or learning object associated with your topic. You can raffle this prize to collect audience information to start a data base. These people should definitely be invited to your subsequent workshops. Another helpful idea is for parts of the workshop to be made interactive so that your audience remains attentive and involved.

I think it’s important to normalize different ways of being and learning. I like to encourage my participants to engage and stretch their comfort level? But I also want to recognize that not everyone learns by doing; some people are more comfortable as observers. Not everyone can sit for extended periods of time so I like to make sure there is plenty of activity and participants know they can stand and move around at any time.

Ditto! The above exercises are great for managing stress levels! Also helpful would be some simple education regarding the body/mind connection and the role it plays in how we handle stress. Stress symptoms in the body ie racing heart, sweating etc. are made worse when you respond to them with upsetting thoughts about the symptoms ie "this is terrible, I can't handle this!". Thus creating a vicious cycle where the body symptoms will intensify or persist as you have more upsetting/alarming thoughts about the symptoms. Our thoughts "about" stress have a huge impact on our experience of stress and anxiety.

A few more suggestions: I always use case studies to normalise experiences and reduce shame and embarrassment. Also I inject humour to help relax participants so they can better engage. It's also important to know your audience, and how to handle difficult or emotional attendees.