Hi everyone,
So this is a question I get asked all the time. Do courage bears work.
People ask how can a piece of plastic help with anxiety.
It’s a fair question.
I did a market on Sunday in Southport and I started talking to someone about the bears. People are always interested in them.
The idea of the bear is based in a technique called grounding. For anyone who doesn’t know what that is, here’s some more information.
Grounding techniques are strategies used to help someone stay connected to the present moment, especially during times of stress, anxiety, or dissociation. They often involve focusing attention on sensory experiences such as sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell.
This can help redirect attention away from negative thoughts or emotions, providing a sense of stability and control. Grounding techniques can vary widely, from deep breathing exercises to mindfulness practices to physical activities like tapping or stretching. The goal is to anchor oneself in the here and now, fostering a sense of calm and safety.
What I also have come to understand is that the intention behind giving someone a bear carries so much power. I have spoken with so many people who have received a bear as a gift and what has become clear to me is that the act of giving a gift is where the power comes from.
It doesn’t even have to be a courage bear, any thoughtful gift works. Because what you’re doing is saying “I see you!” By noticing someone is struggling and giving them something to brighten their day you are letting them know you see them, you see their pain, what they are feeling and or going through is valid.
Lockdown changed the world to one where we are not seen, we lost the human interaction, we became faceless online orders. We started doing most of our interactions online and in doing so we lost that connection.
That is why the courage bears work. They let you know you are seen, they remind you your are not alone