We can all agree that the statement above regarding being overwhelmed is 100% true. This year more than any year past we are feeling overwhelmed. Some feeling as if they are working each day to simply keep their heads above water. You are not alone. And there is hope.
In a previous job, were I was called into homes of families about to lose their children to the state, we were taught first and foremost "You can't tell which families are hopeless, so no family is hopeless." This statement is true for you as school staff and for our students. We are all working and learning in unprecedented times.
You are not hopeless. Our students are not hopeless. If you ever find yourself feeling the opposite of these statements; that is a wake up call to slow down your thinking and understand your feelings with mindfulness.
The next statement on this graphic that I want to take a minute to reflect on is the zero statement. You are allowed to be overwhelmed. You will be overwhelmed. Mindfulness will help you know how to be with the feeling of being overwhelmed, assess where it is coming from, and how to manage the feeling. Being overwhelmed is a signal that something needs to be addressed and maybe even let go. When you use mindfulness to address being overwhelmed you will greatly reduce the occurrence of a meltdown.
Zero people will benefit from you melting down. Everyone will be benefit from you mindfully addressing your own emotions.
Every day I start the day asking students to set a goal. A goal they can accomplish that day. Not an extended goal that will take a long time. But a simple, straightforward goal for that day. Looking at our graphic we are reminded that there are only 24 hours in a day. Do not be unkind to yourself if you set goals too big for 24 hours and you cannot accomplish them. Set the example for your students. Let them know your goal and how you plan to achieve this goal.
Our brains are wired for the negative. It isn't comforting to hear but important to understand. When you understand that evolutionarily your brain needed to wire the negative first and faster than positive, then you better understand the need for mindfulness. As I've said before, we do not live where we need to worry about lion attacks, battling a bear for food, or surviving a cold night in a woods; yet our brains still run on this assumption. Mindfulness helps us retrain our brain toward the positive, it helps create new neuro connections toward compassion for self and others. Our graphic suggests taking 3 breaths right now. Do it! 3 slow, deep inhales, holds, and exhales. When we focus on deep breathing we are slowing down the flight, fright, freeze, faint response and giving our brains time to process.
Remember, if your brain, as an adult, cannot process without slow breathing....neither can your students. You need to teach them to slow down, calm down, and process.
The next number to look at is 5. It only takes 5 minutes to pick a healthy snack. Healthy eating is a great way to mindfully fuel your body. I would also remind you that 5 minutes is all it takes to be mindful. Mindfulness is not meant to take away from your time but give you time back. Taking 5 minutes a day to be mindful will help you and your students learn to process feelings before those feelings become actions.
The last number to address 1. It only takes 1 other person to start a support group. This means don't do it alone. When we have another person to talk to, hold us accountable, and check in with, we are more likely to succeed.
Mindfully teach yourself first, then mindfully teaching your students will naturally follow.
5-3-1-0 might have to become my new mindfulness mantra :)
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