June 2002

Those of you who have attended my workshops know that I always end each program with a word about taking care of yourself. Now that school is out for many of you, or will be soon, it is time to think about how you are going to spend your brief, but lovely, time off. Hopefully, you will make some time to rest and revitalize this summer. Please note, I said, “make” time. That is, of course, is the secret to taking good care of you-----MAKE IT HAPPEN. Probably about half of you will give yourself a day, maybe two to goof off and lie around, but then it will off to the land of projects and chores. No doubt, this group already has lengthy list of all the things that didn’t get done between September and June, and you can just barely wait to get started.

The other half are going to get summer jobs and your summer vacation will be the last two days before schools starts back up. Now all these projects and summer jobs may be important and necessary, but keep in mind---so is rest and renewal! Give yourself some time to just chill. Teaching can be particularly energy draining work. With all the pressures on test scores, and the growing number of behavior issues being faced on a daily basis, if educators do not do a good job of taking care of themselves, they will move slowly but surely into the ranks of people who get no pleasure from their work and count each day as one day closer to retirement. Retirement can be loooong way off when each working day is only a chore. Staying revitalized is the key to continuing to enjoy your work Here are few basic guidelines for starting the new school year feeling healthy, enthusiastic and energized. Those of you who have heard this before, read on. You probably need a reminder. Most of us need to be reminded to take care of ourselves of a regular basis.

L - LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. I bet you’re tired. You wish you could sleep for a week. That wish is your body’s way of telling you---YOU NEED REST. Your body is your friend; it tells you the truth. Maybe you have had a tension headache for the last two weeks. Your body is telling you, get in yourself into a “no tension zone” for a little while. Let something go but do what your body wants you to or your body will up the ante and the next thing you know, you will be sick and will be forced to take the time off you need. Be proactive and give yourself permission to stop now.

A - ATTITUDE AND AFFRIMATIONS ARE IN YOUR CONTROL. Watch your attitude. It is a good barometer of your stress level. If you wake up every morning thinking ”Good Lord, morning”, you know you need a time out for yourself. Beware that negative attitudes are highly energy draining. When you find yourself feeling negative all the time. It is a clear sign you need to do something good for yourself and get that attitude turned around. Stay away from people with negative attitudes. There is nothing more contagious than a negative attitude

U - UNDERSTAND WHAT GIVES YOU PLEASURE. Sometimes we treat the pleasures in our lives like luxury items. We say, “I don’t have time” or even “I’m too tired to do what I enjoy doing.” Wrong. You make time to do those things you love because that is what energy renewal is all about. Do what you love and you will feel energized. Keep in mind, these energizing pleasures may be different for everyone. I like hiking in the words. One of best friends loves shopping. If I’m tired a walk in the words just perks me right, but don’t put me in a shopping mall. My friend on the other hand, finds the whole idea of hiking in the woods appalling. Understand what you love doing and do it.

G - GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO DO WHAT YOU LOVE. Give yourself permission to do the things you love. Integrate small pleasures into your everyday life. While I love hiking in the woods, I can’t always take off for the mountains. I can find other things that I love to my daily life. Sometimes it’s as simple as sitting in the rocker with a cup of tea and watch the cats play. It isn’t so important what is, as it is important that you give yourself permission to do something thoroughly enjoyable everyday.

H - MAKE A HABIT OF TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF. Put yourself on the priority list. Make yourself one of your summer projects. Make a habit of taking care of yourself. Habits are developed through repetition. Do good things for yourself daily.

Put all this together and you will have one of the best self-care strategies ever invented…a good LAUGH. Find lots to laugh about and enjoy this summer. Life is short. This is not a dress rehearsal.