Building Resilience
Just as consistent dental hygine is essential to good dental health, “mental hygiene” contributes to overall wellbeing. Adopting healthy routines and habits such as a eating a nutritious diet, getting adequate sleep, and engaging in regular exercise not only promote a healthy body; these factors promote mental health and resilience as well.
In addition to proper nutrition, rest, and activity, additional factors that can facilitate resilience and aid in dealing with PTSD include:
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
- Exercise
- Dance or movement therapy
- Creative or artistic activity such as painting, drawing, playing an instrument, or listening to music
- Participation in group and community-based activities such as recreational sports, civic groups, or faith communities
To be healthy, we need to regularly “re-boot” to restore, refuel, and re-energize. Doing so requires an investment of your time, but it is time that will pay off in increased energy and restored equilibrium. At a minimum, take a few minutes to breathe deeply. Taking some slow, deep breaths for even a minute or two reduces stress by employing our mind-body connection to restore our physiological response towards a state of relaxation.
In situations that are extraordinarily demanding, people may need to take themselves “off-line” occasionally to take care of themselves. Because educators are often so attuned to responding to the needs of others, this can be challenging. In the process of giving so much to others, it’s easy for us educators to get worn down and even burned out. Think of a rotating lawn sprinkler that shoots water all around to nourish all the grass, except it misses the grass closest to it, which turns brown and withers.
If we neglect our own mental and physical health, we can’t be at our best to assist our student, colleagues, and communities. As the flight attendants on a plane instruct, you must always put on your own oxygen mask first so you will be able to best assist others.
This means making an even stronger commitment to healthy living until it becomes routine. Make an effort to:
- Get 6-8 hours of high-quality sleep each night
- Make nutritious food choices
- Be physically active
- Spend time outside
- Spend quality time with people who anchor you emotionally
- Take a warm, soothing bath to relax
- Participate in a hobby or activity that brings you pleasure or builds your skills
- Learn something new
- Read for pleasure
- Share a meal with family or friends
Practicing healthy lifestyle habits that foster optimal physical and mental health not only can help bolster our resilience when we’re faced with trauma; it can help restore a sense of balance after trauma as well.
If you’re suffering from stress symptoms or PTSD, you’re not alone and there is help available. Educators play an invaluable role to our children and society at-large, and we owe it to ourselves to protect and cherish that precious resource.
NEA HIN is providing information and is not endorsing or recommending any specific treatment. Consult your health care provider or a qualified mental health professional to determine what is appropriate for you.