Take A “Purposeful Pause”
As we prepare for a new school year, many of us experience a large amount of stress and often describe it as “overwhelm.” Below is Brené Brown’s definition of overwhelm and the difference between that and stress (Read full article here).
“Overwhelm means an extreme level of stress and emotional and or cognitive intensity to the point of feeling unable to function,” Brown says. “So I think the big difference is we can function in stress, we really can't function in overwhelm.”
One strategy to practice when experiencing stress is to take a “Purposeful Pause.” It is intentional and provides a brief moment of grounding which can recharge you and prevent overwhelm.
Purposeful Pause Strategies:
Take a short walk
Engage in deep breathing exercises
Feel your feet on the ground and notice each part of your body
Close your eyes and focus on the “why” you are doing your work
Stand up and stretch
Eat lunch or a snack away from your work space
Smile and laugh!
Take a short nap
Listen to your favorite song
Create your own…whatever works for you!
Practice and share these strategies with your colleagues and the young people in your programs!