These are times like none other. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the many ways COVID-19 has changed our lives. At the same time, we can turn uncertainty into resiliency. By being grateful, we can transform negative thoughts into positive intentions.

Gratitude feels good, both to give and to receive. Showing thanks can be one of the most effective ways to contribute and make a difference.

Those who show appreciation often feel more connected, optimistic and happier with their lives.

 

Healthy eating may mean different things to different people. From diets to detoxes, it may seem daunting to think about changing your eating habits. But the reality is, sometimes you don’t need to make a radical lifestyle change to eat more healthily.

 

When it comes to healthy eating, there are many small things you can do that will make a difference. Take a moment to scan these helpful articles.

 

Sharing our favorite recipes can be a fun way to connect with one another. Add your favorite healthy recipe to this shared Healthy Recipes document. Hopefully you find some inspiration for making some magic in the kitchen! Make sure you add your name so we know who to thank!

This webinar from Homewood Health is about an hour but it's really good. Grab yourself a cup of tea, curl up on the couch and take some time for you. COVID-19: The Second Wave and Your Mental Health Webinar Recording Now Available

Self Care Tree - Take a moment to write something you do for your own self care, on the leaf that was placed in your mailbox. Add it to the tree on the wellness bulletin board. Perhaps you'll find a new idea to try for yourself.

The Holdsworth Centre has recently posted a thoughtful blog, that highlights the research-backed health benefits of quietude on the body and mind, and why it should matter to you. A notable line in this blog states, "Not everyone will chance upon moments of accidental quietude. Be intentional about creating such sanctuaries for yourself."

Take some time this holiday break to truly unplug and relax. It will all be waiting for you when you get back! 

 

What I like about this article is how it aligns with our school development plan in that we are all committed to helping students set SMART goals for themselves (shameless SDP plug here, sorry). I also like the suggestion to set the bar ridiculously low. I can get onboard with that! Set a small wellness goal for yourself to help you keep an eye trained on the possibilities this new year holds for us. I think there is a lot to be hopeful for. Remember also to reflect on all that you accomplished in 2020, there has been a steep professional learning curve and we all have a lot to be proud of. 

When we first came together as a staff we generated a We Can! list to remind us that despite all the restrictions and protocols, there is a lot we can do to create an inspiring vision and a culture of connectedness and strong community for our new school. We should all be proud of the solid foundation we have built together. 

Let's take a moment to revisit our We Can! list. Let's celebrate our success, recalibrate and recommit to focusing our energies on what we can still do.

 

You can you take steps to reduce the negative effects of doomscrolling on your health.  Kids Help Phone has some great resources for helping kids through the stress of the pandemic. The Worry Rocket activity is a great one. I actually found it therapeutic to do it myself. Click the link to write down something you've been doomscrolling and watch the worry blast off to oblivion!

 

Empathy is the ability to recognize, understand, and share the thoughts and feelings of another person. Developing empathy is crucial for establishing relationships and behaving compassionately. It involves experiencing another person’s point of view, rather than just one’s own, and enables prosocial or helping behaviors that come from within, rather than being forced (Psychology Today).

 

Research shows that empathy is partly innate and partly learned. Everyone can improve, however. Andrew Sobel shares are eight ways to strengthen your own empathy:

1. Challenge yourself

2. Get out of your usual environment

3. Get feedback

4. Explore the heart not just the head

5. Walk in others’ shoes

6. Examine your biases

7. Cultivate your sense of curiosity

8. Ask better questions

Dr. Kendrick also highlighted some resources for further reading:

Seminal book: The Managed Heart: Commercialization of Human Feeling by Arlie Hochschild (1983, 2012)

Greater focus on domestic responsibilities: Fed Up: Emotional labor, Women, and The Way Forward by Gemma Hartley

Seminal book: Compassion Fatigue: Coping with Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder by Charles Figley (1995)

Overcoming Compassion Fatigue: A Practical Resilience Workbook by Martha Teater and John Ludgate (2014)

The Compassion Fatigue Workbook (2012) by Francoise Matthieu

Overcoming Burnout and Compassion Fatigue in Schools by Alison Dubois and Molly Mistretta (2018)

 

Alison Cohen is an educator and certified mindfulness instructor who leads workshops for educators and caregivers focused on mindful communication, restorative practices, antiracist and culturally responsive pedagogy, and self-care. Alison joined Natural Start to lead educators in a guided meditation and share mindfulness practices that can be easily incorporated into your day.

The Indigenous Education Team has created a visual containing Indigenous ways of connecting to spirit, heart, body, and mind. This is great jumping off point for both your own well-being and for your students. How can you acknowledge Earth Day in a way that honors your spirit?