Preparing for the summer as an educator
For those of you who are already enjoying your summer break, congratulations! You made it through another school year and it was a challenging one.
For those of you who are nearing the end of the school year, you got this. The break is just around the corner.
Now, more than ever, self-care this summer is vital. This is a time to rest, recharge, and relax. Allow yourself to nurture and support your physical, mental, emotional, existential, relational, and environmental health. This year was not easy to check in with all these areas of your life. Some days it was tough just to get through. Other days when you’re feeling better, you want to spend that energy with family and friends. These areas of “deep health” are based on the coaching certification program by Precision Nutrition. Here are some tips to get you to a place to thrive, not just survive:
Physical health:
Move. Whether it’s walking, dancing, joining a fitness class, or playing a sport find movement that works for you and something you look forward to doing. If you’re just starting out, aim for at least 5 minutes and no more than 10 minutes 3 times a week. Why an upper limit? It can be less daunting and more easily achievable and I want you to be consistent and successful!
Already active? Strive for 30 minutes of movement 3 times a week or just 3 activities you enjoy as they will most likely go over the 30 minute mark. You don’t need to be a weekend warrior or training for a triathlon to make a difference in your physical health.
Have a difficult time staying motivated? Plan exercise with friends or find a local activities group to join (I just joined a hiking club and it’s fantastic!). I’m more motivated and committed when I workout with friends. I am on a local tennis team and I enjoy the social aspect more than the physical play!
Mental Health
Mental health is very much intertwined with all the areas of health. Your thoughts, perspective, reactions, and past experiences have an affect. Just like when your body needs a break after a tough workout, your mind also deserves and needs a break to rest and recover as well. This is where it is different for every person. There are some standard treatments for sore muscles but what about an overworked mind?
What activities do you find relaxing that allows your mind to recovery and feel rejuvenated? Watching your favorite show? Getting out into nature? Meditating, running, or dancing? Listening to music? Spending time with your favorite people? These only graze the surface of all the ways you can enhance your mental health.
Still having challenges or feeling beyond burnt out? I encourage and support your decision to reach out to a psychologist, life coach, mentor, or trusted friend/family. Do what’s best for you and I am here to cheer you along!
Emotional Health
Need to cry it out? Do it. Scream out your frustrations into a pillow? Go for it. Excited about something new going on? Let’s celebrate!
How we think impacts how we feel, react, cope, and show up in our life. Stressors in our life are inevitable. How can we build resilience, develop adaptive coping mechanisms, and feel all the feelings in a healthy way? Ask a healthcare professional about resources available, strategies, or support if needed.
Take a moment and think about what activities you do that make you feel better afterwards. It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else. Sometimes it may not make sense to you, especially if you have a history of doing things you felt you ‘should’ do. Try it out. Did it help? Even a little bit? You got this, I believe in you.
Existential Health
To be 100% transparent, this one is a tough one for me. This is more about your purpose, meaning of life/living, spiritual connections, and satisfaction of life. I used to tie my purpose so closely with my career that when things weren’t going well at work, I felt defeated. Or I created a purpose so large and overwhelming that it felt unattainable. Over the years I have learned (and continuing to learn) how to separate my identity from the things that I do. Taking more time to find joy, ease, and fun in activities have been some strategies that have helped.
Is your purpose tied to the outcome or the process? Could your purpose be to ‘just BE’? Whether you practice religion, are more spiritual, or find ways to care for your soul, take some time to think about your perspective on purpose and meaning and how you can do activities to create activities that fulfill that for you.
Relational Health
Look around at the people that you surround yourself with. Friends, family, co-workers, and in the spaces you occupy. What role do your relationships play in your life? Are they energizing, draining, nurturing, motivating, supportive, or something else? Is there certain types of relationships that you need more of in your life? Are there people who you lost contact with that you miss? This is your sign to reach out and re-connect. Is there someone who seems to add more stress? Create healthy boundaries, take some time and space away from this person, and allow your relationship to evolve to a healthier state.
Taking inventory of the people you interact with allows you to spend more time on the relationships that matter most and add to your life.
Environmental Health
Take a look at your surroundings. What does it spark for you? Inspiration? Joy? Ease? Relaxation? Creativity? Something else? Sit and observe what kind of energy your space provides for you. Whether it’s in your car, bedroom, office, kitchen, or any other space you occupy, our surroundings create a vibe and energy that impacts us. If you need to change it up, go for it. Add art, move furniture, let go of what you don’t need, re-organize what you want to keep, or bring in flowers. These small changes can have a huge impact.
Items in your space take your attention, energy, and can be distracting or inspiring. Share changes you made that brighten up your day!