Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1208082
Practice yoga. Go out to dinner with a friend. Get a massage. Swim, run or take a hike. Say no to a new responsibility. Straighten your desk. In the Moment — Temporary: Short activities that give you some space. Dopamine and serotonin are released during the relaxing or enjoyable activity. Examples of temporary self-care: Build in time to make your favorite tea or coffee drink for the commute to work. Get more sleep. Keep a gratitude journal. Make a weekly appointment to meet with a friend and talk about nonwork items. Make time every day to do something for yourself. Have a peer support group. Enduring Practices: Long-term practices and habits that permanently strengthen neurological functioning. Examples of enduring self-care: Self-Care Strategies Source: Melissa Holland, CSU Sacramento resiliency \ri-′zil-yən(t)-sē\ An ability to recover from or adjust easily to adversity or change. T H E E V E R Y D A Y D I F F I C U L T I E S of the job take a toll on educators. The demands of ensuring students get to school safely and learn the state standards while also supporting their physical and emotional needs — especially those who have suffered from trauma — is a heavy load for educators to carry. Resiliency allows us to thrive rather than just survive. Here are some tips for increasing your resiliency: • Set realistic short-term to long-term goals. Examine your expectations. • Be flexible. • Practice positivity. Don't fall into the trap of believ- ing negative thinking is necessary for success. • Engage in self-care. Make a list of things you want to do for yourself. • Use humor and practice kindness with yourself. • Build acceptance around the hard parts of your job. Build Your Resiliency Source: Melissa Holland t i p s he e t Tear out this page for suggestions and resources on dealing with stress, burnout and compassion fatigue — both at your work and in your life 29 F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 2 0