The leader establishes a state of personal and or
organizational well being in the physical, intellectual, and emotional
dimensions. In terms of your emotional,
physical, or intellectual health, what decision could you make that would be
life-changing? How does your everyday
health practices effect your position as a school psychologist/leader?
Reply to at least one other person.
Reply to at least one other person.
I could begin to be healthier by working out on a daily basis to improve, not only my physical health, but my emotional health as well. As psychologists, we know that physical and emotional health are interconnected. Physical exercise elevates endorphin levels in the brain, and I REALLY need to exercise.
ReplyDeleteOur jobs tend to be sedentary and I know my stress level has definitely been kicked up a notch this past year. I often have lacked the energy to exercise and this has been complicated by the fact that, at home, there were two puppies to hold. The dogs have been stress relievers, but have also complicated our lives to an extent. However, they were one of my few attempts to exercise my right to pursue happiness spoken of in the Declaration of Independence, so I can't blame them or myself. What I NEED to do is get into routines that are healthy and that can be sustained over the long term. One of these routines needs to include regular exercise.
I have not missed much work this year, but I know that many of the health symptoms I have faced have the underlying cause of morbid obesity. Perhaps eating fills an underlying emotional need that is unaddressed, but regardless, regular exercise would likely help that also.
I will say that working for High Plains has helped give my life purpose and I think purpose is important to mental health. I appreciate each of our psychologists, our leadership, and our central office support staff. Working for High Plains has helped me support my family for 20 years. Because of High Plains, we have a house, two educated children, and don't forget, two puppies.
I agree Alan about the central office staff! Without them constantly answering my questions, I would probably greatly struggle.
DeleteYou never really displayed that you were stressed out. Your behavior always suggests that you are calm, cool, and collected. I agree that the office staff is extremely helpful! I am so glad they do not mind the endless emails or phone calls that I make to them with questions.
DeleteFor me its finding calmness and serenity in the midst of Chaos. Staying calm and not giving into negativity. Right now with the situation with funding its hard to not just PANIC! On a webinar from KASB one of the participant questioned in the chat box, When do we need to panic, will you let us know when we need to panic.... KASB response was keeping things as normal as possible and we will let you know when to panic.
ReplyDeleteI really need to get out and do more. My sedentary way of life is getting to me. I know I would feel better if I exercised more, lost weight and all those good things but I really have a hard time making myself do. it.
Intellectually, I try to keep learning. I read junk for pleasure but I try to read something that is informative every day too. Life-long learner is a buzzword we hear often but it means so much. Be a life-long learner or you will get left behind.
When we stop learning, we stop living. I believe in being a life-long learner as well. It is important to keep up and be on top of things. When KASB tells you to panic, we are here to panic with you!
DeleteMarcy-
DeleteI'm literally lol'ing at the KASB comment! Can you just let us know when to panic??? I mean, really??? This is what it's come to?!? The state of our education is SO bad that all we really want to know is the appropriate time to panic. This is TERRIBLE! I think it's one of those situations where you have to laugh or you'll cry. Maybe that's why I'm laughing???
With the state funding issues, I certainly do not envy any school administrator at the moment. I'm glad that you are remaining calm Marcy and KASB hasn't advised you (and everybody else) to panic, just yet! Lol! And knowing you Marcy, you have a spreadsheet and plan for a variety of scenarios (which is why we love & appreciate you)!
DeleteFor me, I feel that I need to make more time for myself and do the things that I enjoy more. There are times that I come home from work and just want to lay around and do nothing because I’m so exhausted from the day. I find myself doing more of this the second semester because that is when things start to become crazy.
ReplyDeleteAs a school psychologist I greatly feel that my health practices affect my work. There are days where a majority of the day is spent writing and editing reports sitting at a desk behind a computer. Those days are the least enjoyable for me. I find that the more active I am at work, the better I feel when I get home. Headaches are a constant battle for me and I find the more busy I am at work away from the desk, the better I feel.
Like Marcy mentioned, I try to find something relative to my job that I can read daily. Most of the time it’s just a short article that I’ve gotten in my email but I try to always keep learning.
Stress can eat you alive if you let it. When one is stressed, one can become physically ill and mentally weak. Our jobs are stressful there is no denying it (especially during the second semester), but how we react to that stress is really what matters. I do not sweat the small stuff. I really do try to separate work from home. If I have had a stressful morning with my children, I do not bring it to work with me. What happens at home happens at home, and the same goes for work.
ReplyDeleteI like to do deep breathing exercises when I am stressed out. I also love to curl up with a good book leaving this crazy world we live in, and dive head first into the book. Eating healthy and exercising is also something I like to do. However, I know when I am stressed out I tend to stress eat which then makes me feel bad. It's a nasty habit that I am trying to break.
As far as a decision that I could make which would be life changing, I have no idea. I flirt with the idea of trying to get my doctorate degree, but at this moment in my life it is just not feasible. I am hoping once the baby is born I will have time to exercise. Exercise is good for the heart and mind.
I have GOT to start running again and being more consistent with my daily devotionals. Those things just put me in SUCH an all around better state of being. To be honest, I think the last time I felt like I really had it all together was college. Which is weird because a lot of the reasons I feel stressed now go back to me thinking that I don’t have enough time to accomplish everything that I want/need to do. I know the demands of my life were different back then than they are now, but with juggling school, athletics, and 2-3 jobs, there were still time consuming demands nonetheless. But I still managed to do everything (including the running/working out and devotionals), and I don’t remember being stressed as often or to the extent that I feel now.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely. I use to go to school full time, I was a GA, worked from 9pm to 9am watching Gladys about 5 days a week, worked at the preschool, did things with friends, of course dated (lol) and had a amazing social life. I was skinny and wasn't as stressed as I am now. How does that even make sense???
DeleteWhat made college so carefree? Think of the money we could make if we could find a way to promote that carefree feeling beyond college and throughout life.
DeleteThere was something about walking/running from class to class and sometimes job to job that gave me time to clear my head. Do you suppose that was part of it?
DeleteFor me my work load is mostly manageable. I am always busy and there is a long list every day - even throughout the summer! I don't mind bringing work home if it means making my work days lighter. Of course, my kids are gone and things are slower for me at home. My biggest challenge is the three hour drive that zaps energy and time. I often get home and I am exhausted so I don't exercise or eat well. I am usually much better in the summer because I love outside activities. I try and try but I have never figured out how to lose weight and still eat everything I want. Sigh... : (
ReplyDeleteFor about 7 months I enjoyed a morning routine of working out at the start of each day. That meant an early morning for me, but the benefits were much more long lasting than that extra 30-40 minutes of sleep. I had more energy all day long and felt better about myself. Then, I fell off the wagon when we went out of town Presidents Day weekend and I haven't been able to pick up that routine again for one excuse or another. I do miss it though & it's my summer goal to establish a similar routine.
ReplyDeleteIntellectually, I never want to quit learning, but am feeling in a slump lately. When there is time at the end of the day to read, I want to read for pleasure - something I don't have to think too hard about. It seems there are abundant webinars available for ECSE and SLPs. I wish there were similar webinars to keep us fresh and on top of mental health topics (maybe these exist and I'm in the dark).
I would say I do a fairly good job keeping my emotional health in check. A few good friends & I try to get together on Friday evenings to catch up, unwind and chat. For me, this is a perfect way to end a busy week. I also get frequent massages to help manage my stress and tension.
Elizabeth, I was on the exercise wagon for several years, getting up at 5:00 AM, but fell off as well. Mine was the result of a strained ankle and discovering that it was nice to have the extra sleep. I know that I need to get back on the wagon, but fear that I might blow out all four of the wagon's tires if I did. Having your Friday evenings with friends and massage both sound great. We each find our stress relievers. Our Westies are mine, but unfortunately, I'm too sedentary in enjoying them.
DeleteOh stress one of the things that can make you more tired than you could ever imagine. I need to workout I know I do, but isn't going home and playing with a one year old a workout? She keeps me so busy which is a great thing for me. I know one thing I need to do is eat better considering I eat lunch on the fly and we eat on farm time at home which is late.
ReplyDeleteEmotionally, I have to spend time with friends and my husband. It is hard to find quality time when Levi is working all the time. I have some great friends in Ulysses and joined Junior Civic which keeps me busy. I also have a great support system with so much family around and I broke down and hired a cleaning lady (having a clean house reduces a lot of stress for me).
I need to work on learning new things. I do read articles from the School Psych. blogs I follow, but could read more. I love learning new things and I could step up what I am learning about although Ocotonauts, Bubble Guppies and Baby Einstein can be very informative.
For the past few years, I have made a daily workout a priority (even if it meant exercising at 10:00pm). The past two or three months my exercise routine has been hit or miss (maybe once or twice a week). I have neglected my workouts as I think I am too busy or don't have the time. This is a mistake, as I have noticed my mental health is now slipping. I feel more overwhelmed and less capable of handling the stress when I don't exercise regularly. Why is it so easy to neglect something that makes a positive difference in our lives??
ReplyDeleteI have a holistic view of health, so I'm sure that my health impacts my ability to lead at work.
ReplyDeleteAt home, I'm planner, preparer, and often grower for most of our meals, so eating healthy has been easy. Exercising, though, tends to get put on the back burner, unless I can multi-task, like running laundry up and down the stairs, or working in the garden, or sanding on a project. It's those days sitting at the computer exercising only my fingers that are killer. My daughter likes to exercise, and I like spending time with my daughter, so maybe that is the answer.
Intellectually, I try to keep my mind occupied while I do secretarial tasks, by listening to professional books on tape. I also follow the NASP blogs and the Communique. I've really appreciated the opportunities this spring to get out and enjoy a little professional development time listening to speakers with fresh perspective.