Anticipated/Anticipation:
Noun. A feeling that something is about to happen. This typically refers to something positive for which an individual has been waiting.
Attachment:
Noun. The emotional bond between a young human infant or a young non-human animal and its parent or caregiver. It is established as a step in establishing a feeling of security and is demonstrated through experiencing a feeling of calmness while in the presence of the individual’s parents or caregivers. This term is also used to refer to the closeness in a social bond between the individual in other relationships ranging from infancy to adulthood.
Attune:
Verb. To recognize and respond to another person’s emotional needs and moods. When we empathetically attune to another individual, we gently tune into, sense, and resonate with their experience allowing us to respond accordingly.
Burnout (Emotional):
Noun. A state of deep physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that one experiences from prolonged exposure to unmanaged stress. This experience often leaves the individual feeling drained, detached, and unable to cope with ongoing demands or responsibilities. This state is often characterized by feelings of irritability, a lack of motivation, and hopelessness.
Depression:
Noun. A negative affective state ranging in feeling from unhappiness and discontent to an extreme feeling of sadness, pessimism, and despondency that interferes with the individual’s functionality within their daily life. Along with depressive feelings, an individual will also experience physical, cognitive, and social changes that are outside of the individual’s typical range of functioning.
Boundaries:
Noun. The limits and rules that individuals set for themselves regarding how they wish to be treated by others. They can include physical space, physical touch, and ways in which one prefers to be spoken. These are subject to change over time the more an individual defines their preferences.
Co-regulation:
Verb. The ability to regulate emotions and behaviors, manage stress (internal or external), and return to a calm state, with the support and direction of a connecting person. This process is mostly non-verbal and involves the synchronization of both individual’s nervous systems.
Examples include physical touch that feels safe to the individual, cuddling, hand holding, speaking in a calm tone, using phrases of support, modeling calm behavior, and using deep breathing skills.
Dismay:
Noun. A feeling of unhappiness and disappointment.
Emotional Cup:
Noun. A psychological metaphor that represents an individual’s emotional capacity or resilience. A “full cup” is symbolic of an individual feeling emotionally stable and able to handle challenges. A cup is filled through positive experiences, supportive relationships, and using healthy coping skills appropriately and as needed. An “empty cup” is conversely representative of an individual feeling emotionally dysregulated and experiencing emotional distress. A cup is emptied through negative interactions, stress, and through carrying unprocessed emotions.
Anxiety:
Noun. A future-oriented, emotion characterized by worry and somatic symptoms of tension in which the body mobilizes itself in response to either perceived or real danger, catastrophe, or misfortune. Specifically, upon experiencing anxiety, the body gears up to react to this anticipated threat with symptoms such as an increased heart rate, increased, shallow breathing, and tensing of the muscles.
Emotional Intelligence:
Noun. The capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions. To handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.
Appreciate:
Verb. To recognize the value, quality, or significance of something or someone. To be grateful for.
Blame:
Verb. To assign responsibility for a fault or wrong.
Ecstatic:
Adjective. Extremely happy.
Emotional Regulation:
Verb. The process of managing emotions to maintain balance and respond appropriately to challenges.
Empathy:
Noun. The ability to share someone else’s feelings by imagining what it would be like to be in that person’s situation.
Grounded (emotionally):
Adjective. A sense of emotional stability, balance, and resiliency. Being able to manage your feelings effectively, staying calm and composed, under immense stress or pressure.
Judgment:
Noun. The ability to make decisions or a good decision, or the act of developing an opinion after giving careful thought.
Grief:
Noun. The anguish experienced after a significant loss, usually after the death of a beloved person.
Forever Family:
Noun. A term used to describe families with adopted children. It helps individuals regain a sense of safety and security that they may have lost. Specifically, it creates a sense of lifetime commitment, permanence, and can further enhance the feeling of unconditional love.
Gratitude:
Noun. The act of recognizing and appreciating the good things that happen, resulting in a state of appreciation.
Mindful eating:
Noun phrase. A non-judgmental approach to eating that involves paying attention to the physical, emotional, and sensory experiences of food. The intention is to improve one’s relationship with food by promoting a more conscious and enjoyable eating experience.
Reframe:
Verb. A cognitive behavioral therapy technique that is used to help shift an individual’s negative or unhelpful thought process to a more positive or helpful one. This technique helps us to be able to shift our interpretation of a situation in order to reduce feelings of distress and foster personal growth.
Rejuvenate:
Verb. To make young or youthful again, to restore vigor or energy to, or to return to an original or new state.
Mindfulness:
Noun. The practice of being aware of your mind, body, and feelings in the present moment. Thought to bring a feeling of calm.
Overwhelm/Overwhelming/
Overwhelmed:
Adjective and verb. To be overcome in mind and feeling. Consistent with feeling emotionally flooded.
Positive Affirmations:
Noun phrase, with “positive” being an adjective. Positive statements that people repeat to themselves to challenge negative thoughts and improve their self-esteem. They can be used to motivate, encourage positive changes, and boost confidence.
Resiliency:
Noun. The capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties; toughness; emotional grit.
Self-confidence:
Noun. A feeling of trust in one’s abilities, qualities, and judgment.
Self-love:
Noun. Concern with one’s own being and happiness. This is generally considered a desirable characteristic.
Self-reflection:
Noun. Meditation or serious thought on one’s character, actions, or motives.
Shame:
Noun. A painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.
Self-esteem:
Noun. Confidence in one’s own worth and abilities. Self-respect.
Self-trust:
Noun. Great faith in oneself or one’s abilities; self-confidence.
Sleuth:
Noun. A collective noun used to describe a group or family of bears.
Selfless:
Adjective. Concerned more with the needs and wishes of others instead of one’s own. Unselfish.
Self-reliance:
Noun. Reliance on own’s own powers and resources rather than those of others.
Sense-of-self:
Noun phrase. How a person perceives themselves, including their traits, value, and purpose.
Sensitive/Sensitivity:
Adjective. Understanding what people need. Being helpful and kind to them.
Square Breathing:
Noun. A mindfulness skill that can be used to help your body calm down when you’re experiencing big feelings.
Sympathy:
Noun. Feelings of pity or sorrow for someone else’s misfortune.
Transitional Object:
Noun phrase. These can be tangible objects or people. They are constants in an individual’s life that provide feelings of comfort, safety, and support during times of transition, change, and/or hardship. We refer to these types of objects as Sunshine Bears.
Tenacity:
Noun. Holding tightly to something or keeping an opinion in a determined way.
Unconditional Love:
Noun. A type of love that is free and without expectations and is often described as having no boundaries or restrictions. It is a love that is offered without regard for what someone does in return and is instead based on a desire for their happiness.
Thankful:
Adjective. Often a temporary, automatic expression of gratitude expressed about a specific thing. Happy or grateful because of something.
Validation:
Noun. Recognition or affirmation that a person and/or their opinions are valid or worthwhile.
Vulnerable:
Adjective. Being open and honest about one’s feelings, thoughts, and fears. It is an acknowledgment of both the positive and negative emotions that someone is experiencing, and a willingness to share these emotions with oneself and with others despite the inherent risk of being judged or rejected.