Resources
STRESS MANAGEMENT FOR EDUCATORS, PARENTS, AND STUDENTS
Unplug, Slow Down, and Breathe
Slow Down and Rest
Take a break, put your hips on a firm pillow and your legs on a chair or couch and practice the square breath……inhale 4-5 seconds, pause 4-5 seconds, exhale through the mouth 4-5 seconds, and pause 4-5 seconds, repeat 6 more times, then return to normal breathing. Rest for 5-7 minutes
Free Guided meditations
from Insight Timer
Move
Shake….it really works!
Try the ancient modality “Shaking” which transforms stress into vital energy….shake the hands, bend and straighten the knees, and KEEP THE FEET PLANTED. Move to the beat of “Billie Jean” for at least one minute. Shake the arms from the shoulders all the way down to the hands (as if flicking off water).
Walk, jog, or hike
Take a walk or jog outside (or inside to music)
Take a hike or just sit in nature
Remember to practice social distancing
Process
Journal
Start a stream of consciousness in your journal. Write down whatever is on your mind without giving it a thought. Revisit and determine which situations are important and controllable. Let go of those that are not important and not controllable.
Start a Gratitude List and Share with a Friend
Text 1-2 friends a daily gratitude list of what you are thankful for and have them reciprocate. If you miss a day, make it up the following day for best results.
Stress relief videos here
ARTICLES
‘I Didn’t Know It Had a Name’: Secondary Traumatic Stress and Educators
How Trauma is Changing Children’s Brains
Why Teachers’ Self-Care Matters
What is Self-Care?
Self-care is an important component of a teacher’s mental health, but there are misconceptions about what it is. It’s about taking care of your health so that you’re prepared to be the best teacher you can be for yourself and your students.
Health and Wellness 2020
We’re calling a Time Out
Outside Magazine
January/February 2020
………..Americans are overworked, overscheduled, and just plain exhausted. The solution? Forget about radical diets and intense new fitness plans – what we all really need is to SLOOOOOOW DOWN.
Last year the World Health Organization expanded its entry on burnout in the International Classification of Diseases, defining it as a syndrome resulting from “chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” It is characterized by feeling depleted, cynical, and unmotivated.