Self-Care

  • We want to make sure you know that any emotion you're feeling right now, whether it be sad, angry, confused or happy, it's valid & okay to feel that way. We're strong & will get through this together. Remember to reach out if you need help or just want to talk.

  • Acts of Kindness

    We all benefit from simple acts of kindness.  Consider taking a moment to do an act of kindness this week to brighten someone's day.  Here are some ideas! 

    1) Take the #JustBeKind pledge

    2)Check out these ideas: Simple Acts of Kindness

  • Get Outside!

    Evidence suggests that sunlight pushes up levels of serotonin and noradrenaline, two key feel-good chemicals. In a nutshell, sunlight makes you feel happier. 

    Here are some sunny outdoor activities to try while you’re social-distancing. What is your favorite outdoor activity?

    • Gardening

    It’s Springtime and that brings gardening. Digging in dirt has shown to reduce anxiety levels as digging the soil stirs up microbes and breathing them in can increase serotonin production, which makes you feel happier and more relaxed. Try planting your favorite native flowers or making a bee and a butterfly sanctuary with these flowers.

    • Outdoor Staycation

    Still have that tent tucked away in the garage or storage shed? Pull it out and set it up in your backyard for a camping staycation. In an area where you can have a fire pit? You can pick up a portable one at your local hardware store or build your own. Make an easy fire-roasted lunch and pull out the bean bags or bocce ball while sipping on a cold beverage. And after a warm day in the sun, settle in, roast some marshmallows, tell scary ghost stories, and gaze at the stars for a relaxing night under the night sky.

    • Leave treasures for others on your walk

    Communities are seeing colorfully painted rocks show up on their public trails or positive chalk messages left on city sidewalks. Join in on the fun! Grab a bucket and some rocks, set up a table outside, and get to painting! Make colorful patterns or paint silly faces. Paint what makes you happy. And then hit the trails and leave the rocks in easy to spot areas for other people to find. Something so small brings a large amount of joy. Or if you have extra chalk on hand and want to feel like a secret agent, leave positive messages on well-walked paths for others to find. If you love to draw or are feeling artistic, leave a few of your signature drawings and brighten someone’s day!

    • Get out those walking shoes

    Go for a simple slow walk around your neighborhood. Pause to notice the dandelions or budding trees. Listen to the different bird songs. Feel the wind across your cheek. Sunshine coupled with some joyful movement is a sure way to take pause and breathe in the day.

    At the end of the day, do what makes you feel more relaxed and happy. Grab that sunshine by the fistfuls, take a deep breath, and enjoy the day.

    We’re all in this together.

  • Emphasize the importance of self-care and healthy coping strategies for both adults and students

    Regardless of age, experts recommend maintaining consistent routines, practicing healthy habits, taking regular breaks from news and media, and finding ways to remain connected to social networks and support.

    Use the following resources and strategies to help teachers and students cope through this stressful period by incorporating them in classes, and widely distributing them on the district website, on social medial, and over email:

  • Anxiety

    A large part of anxiety comes from a sense of what we think we should be able to control, but can’t.  We may feel helpless about what will happen or what we can do to prevent further stress. The uncertainty might also connect to our uncertainty about other aspects of our lives, or remind us of past times when we didn’t feel safe and the immediate future was uncertain.

    In times like these, our mental health can suffer.  We don’t always know it’s happening. You might feel more on edge than usual, angry, helpless or sad.  You might notice that you are more frustrated with others or want to completely avoid any reminders of what is happening.  For those of us who already struggle with our mental wellness, we might feel more depressed or less motivated to carry out our daily activities.

    It’s important to note that we are not helpless in light of current news events.  We can always choose our response. If you are struggling, here are some things you can do to take care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty:

    Here a few tips to help you cope with these feelings. To see more of this article, click HERE.

     

    • Do what helps you feel a sense of safety. This will be different for everyone, and it’s important not to compare yourself to others.  It’s ok if you’ve decided what makes you feel safe is to limit attendance of large social events, but make sure you separate when you are isolating based on potential for sickness versus isolating because it’s part of depression.
    • Get outside in nature--even if you are avoiding crowds. I took a walk yesterday afternoon in my neighborhood with my daughter.  The sun was shining, we got our dose of vitamin D, and it felt good to both get some fresh air and quality time together.   Exercise also helps both your physical and mental health.
    • Challenge yourself to stay in the present. Perhaps your worry is compounding—you are not only thinking about what is currently happening, but also projecting into the future. When you find yourself worrying about something that hasn’t happened, gently bring yourself back to the present moment.  Notice the sights, sounds, tastes and other sensory experiences in your immediate moment and name them. Engaging in mindfulness activities is one way to help stay grounded when things feel beyond your control.

     

  • Breathe

    Each week counselors will provide parents and students with an example of a coping tool. This week is a simple breathing exercise to do when feeling particularly anxious. Check it out! Simple Breathing Exercises

     

    We want to make sure you know that any emotion you're feeling right now, whether it be sad, angry, confused or happy, it's valid & okay to feel that way. We're strong & will get through this together. Remember to reach out if you need help or just want to talk.

  • “I Can’t Control Everything!”


    This time can be scary because of the unknown to come. It’s important to remind yourself of what you can control vs what you can’t control.

    I Can Control

  • Taking Care of Yourself

    During this time of social distancing and working from home, remember to take care of yourself. Here are sime ideas and resources that might help.

    • Add extra time each day for stress relief! Find some new relaxation methods online.  
    • Exercise is important!  Staying active is a key component to keeping your stress level down!
    • Avoid excessive exposure to media coverage.
    • Connect with friends and loved ones through calls/text/internet. Focus on the people around you that are positive!
    • Give yourself a break as we experience this new way of learning.  Stay positive!  
    • Here are some free apps available for additional help during this stressful time. 
    • Other helpful personal/social resources.