Self-Care
Loudon County Schools Coordinated School Health
Self-Care
Throughout the month of April we will focus on different themes that we hope will build social and emotional strength for your students and yourselves during this time. We are aware that many of you and your kids may feel overwhelmed and anxious at this time. We want to stress the importance of self-care for everyone.
Self-care is the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress. Self-care is everything that you deliberately do for your mental, physical, and emotional well being.
Why is Self-Care Important?
We are all less able to handle the stresses that come our way when we're already depleted by physical and emotional exhaustion. Or, put in a more positive way, we are more resilient and more able to handle life's stress when we are feeling our best both physically and emotionally.
- Self care prevents “overload burnout”: We’ve all been there: you push yourself to the point that you can’t take anymore so you just give up. Self care helps you avoid getting to that point.
- Self care reduces the negative effects of stress: A small amount of stress can serve a purpose, but after a while, it just breaks down your mind and body. Taking care of yourself means keeping your stress from taking over so you can function at full capacity.
- Self-care helps you refocus: When I was stuck on a complicated math problem in school, my teacher would suggest walking away and coming back—taking a break, basically. Breaks are the epitome of self care, and studies show they are great for helping you perform better.
Types of Self-Care
It's important to make sure we are taking time to focus on each area of self-care.
It can be simple!
Self-care can be simple! Check out this list of easy ideas!
Spring Specific Ideas!
Check out these ideas to enjoy the lovely Spring weather while taking care of yourself!
Self-Care During COVID-19
During this time where anxiety and stress can be running at all time high levels in your household for both you and your children it is even more important to focus on ways to take care of yourself and to set that example for your children. The articles below show ways we can focus on our self-care as well as the self-care of our children.
Make it a priority
With the business of just being a family and getting daily tasks accomplished it can be easy to forget to take care of ourselves. It helps to make this a priority daily. It doesn't have to be something lengthy, but it can be. Mix it up! Self-care involves taking the time to recognize what it is we need to help us be the best version of ourselves.
Self-Care Ideas
There are so many ways we can take care of ourselves as well as practice self-care as a family. It all comes down to what you and your family NEED during this time. Check out some of the many examples that we have shared with you, but please do not limit yourselves to our list!
Talk about it!
One of the best but often most overlooked ways to check on your feelings as well as the feeling of those around you is to simply ask each other.
- "How are you feeling?"
- "What would help you feel better today?"
- "What makes you feel like the very best version of yourself?"
- "What is important to you?"
- "How can we help each other?"
It's also important to stay connected to family and friends through technology if possible. You could also try writing letters or sending pictures to loved ones. This is important for everyone!
Loudon County Schools Coordinated School Health
Kate Galyon galyonk@loudoncounty.org