Cultivating Wellness
March 2022
Tips, Encouragement, and Support for Parents and Educators
Spring Cleaning
The winter months are coming to an end, the snow is melting, days are longer, and spring is on the horizon. As we prepare for the spring season, many of you are adding to a list of things that must be done as part of a yearly ritual called "spring cleaning." Your list may include dusting, cleaning out freezers, putting away winter clothing, long-awaited home updates and getting the windows cleaned and opened for a short spell. Perhaps, your exterior list includes emptying out the garage or shed to bring out fixtures and furniture. Additionally, your list may include plans for freshening the landscaping and yard décor.
Just as we spring clean our homes and freshen up our yards, we must do the same for our mind, body, and soul. Here are some suggestions for doing just that: Do you have mental baggage dragging you down? If so, try creating a list of the hurts, disappointments, and regrets that are cluttering your heart and mind. Create and implement a plan to resolve the issues that contributed to the situation. Consider approaching physical, mental, and emotional baggage in a similar fashion. Can you forgive the individual that hurt you or caused you harm? Doing so improves your overall health. The Mayo Clinic explains that "Forgiveness is a commitment to a personalized process of change." For more on forgiveness, check out this article.
Along with our minds and hearts, another opportunity for creating a healthier you may be to overhaul your diet and exercise routines. Consider ways that you can be intentional. Create a plan for healthy eating and for engaging in regular exercise. You can begin by creating weekly menus. Shop with a list that includes the items you need to prepare those meals and limit or skip snack purchases. The National Institute on Aging offers some helpful tips for resetting a routine with intention and purpose. They include:
- Try to be physically active for at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Choose foods that are low in added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.
- Pick whole grains and lean sources of protein and dairy products.
- Practice all four types of exercise—endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility.
As you transition from one season into another, you will likely encounter challenges and obstacles to completing tasks and creating new routines. Approach spring cleaning with a holistic framework, be mindful to give yourself grace and be patient with the process of change. Build in checkpoints. Where possible, allow for partnership with others.
Another way to support the process of change is through mindful practices. From
self-defeating thoughts to fear of the unknown that often accompanies change, mindfulness practices have helped millions of Americans move forward with confidence and consistency. Visit the Crim Foundation to learn more on how you can embrace change in any dimension of your life.
Resources for Your Mind, Body, and Family
- National Alliance on Mental Illness-Genesee County Chapter
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- The State of Michigan has created a Stay Well program that encourages individuals to Be Kind to Your Mind, providing access to support groups, help lines, webinars, behavioral health guides, and video resources. This Mindfulness and Stress Resilience Guide is one tool provided. Check the link to learn more.
- Michigan 211 helps to connect individuals to a variety of services, including mental health providers.
Community Resource Spotlight: The Genesee Opportunity (GO) Stipend for High School Grads
The Genesee Opportunity (GO) stipend provides Genesee County high school graduates with money for college, career training, or certification licensing fees. To be eligible, you must reside in Genesee County, Michigan or on a property that is taxed by a Genesee County school district and be a graduate from a high school in Genesee County. Graduates must be enrolled in an eligible training program or post-secondary educational institution and submit an application by the due date. The GO stipend can only be awarded one time and must be used within the first 12 months after graduation or GED completion.
The GO stipend is not based on income or grades and is funded through a millage approved by Genesee County voters.
Once the completed application is received, Genesee Opportunity staff will verify the information provided to determine eligibility for the GO Stipend. Students who have already taken a qualifying assessment for certification at a training institution can call (810) 591-GCGO (4246) to discuss eligibility for reimbursement.
Cultivating Staff Wellness: A Holistic Approach
Supporting the whole child starts with supporting all the adults involved in the educational process. From direct providers, such as teachers and paraprofessionals, to those indirectly involved with student success (business, transportation, operations, human resources, etc.), a need for optimal self-care is shared to bring our best self to work each day.
The Genesee Intermediate School District has taken steps to develop a customizable wellness toolkit available to staff throughout Genesee County schools, programs, and GISD departments. This toolkit has been created to help administrators and managers implement and create sustainable staff wellness initiatives. While resources are often spread thin and opportunities for added programs may be far and few between, one key for programs and departments is to start where they are and commit to intentional moves toward creating and sustaining a culture of wellness.
The Cultivating Staff Wellness (CSW) Toolkit is based on SAMHSA’s Eight Dimensions of Wellness: emotional, physical, spiritual, environmental, occupational, financial, intellectual, and social. Complete the Cultivating Staff Wellness Registration Form so that your school, program, or department can access the CSW Toolkit.
GISD 31n Mental Health Team
To learn more about health and wellness for teachers, students, and families, check out our page on the GISD website.