After the events of October 7th, I had the privilege of training a remarkable group of volunteers in the five steps of EmotionAid. These big-hearted, everyday people stepped up to support relocated communities in Netanya hotels. Many were not professional caregivers or therapists, but individuals who simply couldn’t stand by without offering a helping hand. They brought warmth, compassion, and an unwavering desire to make a difference.
Together, we explored the steps from the EmotionAid toolkit and created resourcefulness, empowerment and fostered hope for healing. By strengthening their own emotional stability, these volunteers were better equipped to provide genuine support not only for themselves but also for those they served.
I focused on two straightforward yet potent approaches from the EmotionAid™ 5-step toolkit:
1.Accessing Resources and fostering Personal Resilience
Through learning the language of their Nervous system they were able to calm and centre themselves during intense emotions, volunteers discovered how to access their own resources and move back into a sense of balance. This inner stability not only helped them cope personally but also equipped them to offer deeper empathy and support to those they served. Empathy is felt experience that demands authentic connection, and that connection can only happen when we ourselves are regulated.
- Staying Present in the Here and Now
We also practiced simple, accessible techniques that enable volunteers to gently bring their focus back to the here and now whenever stress peaks. This “pause and reset” approach quickly restores clarity and helps the body feel safer and more at ease. When we take a moment to regulate our own nervous system, we become more effective helpers, creating a ripple of calm for everyone around us. If you’re involved in high-stress care—like many frontline doctors and volunteers—these tools can be a game changer.
By demystifying emotional support and learning to truly feel our way, we can create genuine connections—both with ourselves and with those who rely on us. When we stand on stable emotional ground, we empower not only our own well-being, but also the healing journey of the communities we serve. It’s a privilege to witness how ordinary individuals, armed with heart and simple, effective tools, can make an extraordinary impact in times of need.
Let’s keep sharing these grassroots, somatic-based skills so we can continue to build resilience within ourselves and the communities we serve. It’s an approach that touches hearts, transforms lives, and fosters true healing—one regulated nervous system at a time.
