From Suffering to Hope:

Transcription

1 From Suffering to Hope: Self-Care for Educators Amy Yillik, EdD April 24, 2017

2 agenda What do you believe & why do you do what you do? How do you take care of yourself when you care for so many?

3 Professional Intention Understanding: Why How Utilizing: Self-Calming Self-Care

4 Suffering? What are your inherent beliefs about

5 The AIDS epidemic The Human Experience

6 Why?

7 how?

8 Answer these questions: I am at my best when: I am at my worst when: (I am helping others) (I feel isolated and misunderstood)

9 Answer cont., What do I really love to do at work? What do I really love to do in my personal life? (understand & teach why people do what they do, help others gain insight to themselves, identify a person s strengths and weaknesses and help them create a plan to achieve their goals) (be introspective and participate in insightful activities, create art, be in nature and have social time with people I love)

10 Answer cont., My natural talents and gifts are: If I had unlimited time and resources and knew I could not fail, I would: (helping others, being crafty and creative, singing, laughing, and having empathy) (I would live in nature and create art, learn about people, and write on and share with others about these things)

11 Answer cont., Imagine your life is an epic journey and you are the hero/heroine. What would your journey be about? My life s journey is: (to find peace and joy and help others do the same)

12 Answer cont., 1) IMAGINE YOUR 80TH BIRTHDAY. WHO WILL BE THERE WITH YOU? WHAT TRIBUTE STATEMENT WOULD YOU LIKE THEM TO MAKE ABOUT YOUR LIFE? I will be a person who (is authentic, spiritual, kind, funny, compassionate, tenacious, interesting, curious, generous, and a life-long learner.)

13 Answer cont., WHAT DO I CONSIDER TO BE MY MOST IMPORTANT FUTURE CONTRIBUTION TO THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN MY LIFE? (I will have modeled and imparted hope, integrity, curiosity, compassion, love, humor and tenacity.)

14 Answer cont., ARE THERE THINGS I FEEL I REALLY SHOULD DO OR CHANGE, EVEN THOUGH I MAY HAVE DISMISSED SUCH THOUGHTS MANY TIMES? WHAT ARE THEY? 1. (Live more simply) 2. (Travel & explore) 3. (Take better care of my and my family s health)

15 Answer cont., Imagine you could invite to dinner three people who have influenced you the most past or present. Write their names in the boxes below. Then record the one quality or attribute you admire most in these people. 1. (Chris Sink; Passionate & Inquisitive) 2. (Linder O Rourke; Hope & Kindness) 3. (Tony Yillik; Resilient & Humor)

16 Answer, cont., Let's think of balance as a state of fulfillment and renewal in each of the four dimensions: physical, spiritual, mental, and social/emotional. What are the single most important things you can do in each of these areas that will have the greatest positive impact on your life and help you achieve a sense of balance? Physical: (Move & stretch) Spiritual: (Be fully present & of service to others) Mental: (Be mindful & learn) Social/Emotional: (Seek joy & honesty)

17 Percentage of Improvement in Counseling Clients as a Function of Therapeutic Factors Therapeutic Relationship 30% Extratherapeutic Change 40% Positive Expectancy (HOPE) 15% Techniques 15%

18 Relational Components of Therapy 75% 25% Model/ Techniques Therapeutic Relationship + Hope 75% of Therapist Influence on Treatment Outcomes Lies in Relational Factors

19 Hope I have learned two lessons in my life: first, there are no sufficient literary, psychological, or historical answers to human tragedy, only moral ones. Second, just as despair can come to one another only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings. - Elie Wiesel

20 92% of Americans believe stress negatively impacts heath 31%of Americans believe stress negatively impacts their health

21 What is Stress? Google: pressure or tension exerted on a material object; give particular emphasis or importance to (a point, statement, or idea) made in speech or writing Merriam-Webster: a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work, etc; something that causes strong feelings of worry or anxiety NASP: The experience by an educator of negative, unpleasant emotions (such as tension, anger, or depression) as a result of some aspect of their work APA: Any uncomfortable emotional experience accompanied by predictable biochemical, physiological and behavioral changes.

22 American statistics indicate: 22% of people report high stress (8 out of 10) 80% of educators report being severely stressed 32% of adults say it is very important to talk about their stress with their health care provider: less than 18% do Top symptoms of stress: irritability (42%), anxious (39%), fatigue (37%), feeling sad (37%) and low energy (35%) 32% of adults report not getting enough sleep 44% of adults feel more stressed than they did 5 years ago Stress is the basic cause of 60% of all human illness & disease 24% of employees work 6 extra hours per week without pay ($2,262 loss per year for the individual)

23 Educator Stressors Mandates without PD Negative image of educators Salary Fear of job loss Physical demands Uncertain job expectations American Federation of Teachers (May, 2015)

24 Educator Stressors Day to Day Issues: Time Pressure Discipline Lack of opportunity to use bathroom, eat, or take a break Student aggression Supervisor or Co-worker conflict Lack of resources Mandated curriculum Large class sizes Standardized testing Implementing 504/IEP Classroom Management Meetings after work day

25 Teachers are in the top 10 stressful jobs, along with Military, Surgeons & Firefighters!!!! Salary.com

26 Stress changes our brains.

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28 Fatigue Long-term effects of prolonged stress exposure: Hormonal Imbalance Sleep Disruption Weakened Immune System Reduced Cognitive Functioning Cardiovascular Concerns Muscle Pains, Spasms Psoriasis, Eczema, Acne Reproductive Health Cancer

29 We cannot meet others struggles with exhaustion and expect to impart hope.

30 What to do?!?!?

31 State-dependence: impact of regulated vs. dysregulated teachers on reactive children (Slides from

32 SELF-CARE We must have a battery of selfsoothing techniques AND be capable of using them to self-rescue from intrusions: talking, journaling diaphragmatic breathing & pelvic floor relaxation safe-place visualization progressive relaxation embrace change physical activity

33 Only 2 ways to release emotional energy Expressive Language Biological Response

34 mindfulness ACTIVELY, INTENTIONALLY, DILIGENTLY, & INTENSELY RELAX!!!! CHECK OUT REGULARLY (5-20 MIN) AND BRIEFLY (2-3 SEC) PERFORM SOFT-BELLY BREATHING & PELVIC FLOOR RELAXATION PRIOR TO & DURING STRESSFUL ACTIVITIES

35 safe-place visualization

36 progressive relaxation

37 Maitri

38 The biggest commitment you must keep.is your commitment to yourself. Neale Donald Walsch