Recharge and De-stress

I hope you've been restoring and recharging this summer! 🚀✨I've been thinking a lot about the tension we feel at the end of the summer and how to handle it. Here's what I've been learning:

We all know that 6-letter word - STRESS - but what is stress, really? In short, it's a perception of a threat.

This “threat” sends our body’s nervous system into fight, flight, or freeze mode, basically shutting down our prefrontal cortex. It's a hectic time in our brain!

We need to recharge our nervous system after we experience stress, but how? Well, who doesn’t love a fun acronym to help them remember? 😊 S-T-R-E-S-S

S – START BREATHING

Inhale a deep, long breath. Use your diaphragm to fill your lungs with air while your abdomen expands. Exhale longer than you inhale. This is an excellent feel-good tool to use before interacting with a challenging student, before testing, or before an upcoming meeting.

T – TAKE TIME OFF

We teachers are on a minute-to-minute schedule all school year, and, of course, we get used to it. It’s okay to slow the pace and lower the pressure to “get things done.”  Step away from the grind every once in a while!

R – RECONNECT WITH WHAT ENCOURAGES YOU

We got into teaching expecting to make a difference, but the pressures of the job can leave us feeling frustrated and fruitless. It's unlikely that's the whole story, though. Think of the times you connected with students. Think of the times you saw a student "get it." What makes you feel your value as a teacher? Park your brain on those things for a while.

E – EXPERIENCE CREATIVITY

Science says that doing creative activities - sewing, coloring, and simply making things - prevents our brains from feeling threats. The brain just cannot feel both emotions at the same time. If you ever needed justification to spend time on your hobby, this is it!

S – STIMULATE YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM WITH MOVEMENT

This one comes with a TON of interesting research: the best way to get physically active is by doing what you love instead of what you think you should be doing. The “should be doing” just adds extra stress! Nature walks, yoga, or moving the body for 20-60 minutes a day calms your nervous system. 

S – SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL HABITS

Stress can make you stop "feeling" your feelings, but connecting with them again can fight stress! The following are scientifically proven to relax our nervous system:

1. Crying relieves pain and improves moods.
2. Laughing releases endorphins, lifts our moods, and helps us to bond with others easily. Laughing does not allow our brains to focus on any threats.
3. Being social improves your quality of life! Making small talk with your neighbor and smiling as you pass by others all helps your stress.
4. Showing affection gets our nervous system focused on non-threats. Studies show a hug decreases blood pressure, lowers heart rates, increases trust, and reduces stress.

I've got a ton of research links here for you so you can really dive into the science:

Regular exercise benefits

Movement to manage stress

Exercise and anxiety

Habits of quirky geniuses

Benefits of crying

Benefits of laughter

Benefits of socializing with strangers

Benefits of hugging

Stay relaxed, my friends, and here's to 2024-2025 being the chillest school year yet! 🌟

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