As most schools are coming to a summer break, my thoughts have been on the extreme need for this time to step away from it all. I have seen a level of exhaustion in my friends and colleagues that is new. Students have also expressed the need to get away from school and pressures of “catching up” after the pandemic.
PRIORITIZE MENTAL HEALTH CARE
I came across a TED Talk “Why You Should Take a Break: Prioritizing Mental Health in Schools” by Hailey Hardcastle. She eloquently expresses the need for schools to form policies around allowing students to take mental health days as a part of supporting their emotional hygiene and success in learning. Hailey says, “Our head and body are connected beyond more than our neck, after all”.
Her story of anxiety and stress is unfortunately a replica of what educators are seeing across the nation. Take a moment to listen to her story and consider ways that students and teachers might be able to incorporate her strategy for avoiding burnout.
GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO TAKE A BREAK
I was fortunate to take the Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead certification course this school year. Our facilitator was amazing and used an activity every time we met that I have adopted. She would ask us during every class/session to write ourselves a permission slip. Let me share some of mine to give you an example: Permission to not be so hard on yourself. Permission to let my mind wonder.
Often, we don’t give ourselves the same grace and/or permission as we would to our friends, families, or colleagues. The permission slip is a simple thing to do but so powerful. I would love to see this activity done in a classroom for our students. Our facilitator would open space for anyone who wanted to share their permission for the day which allowed others to relate or support the person in that permission they granted themselves.
TAKE A TRUE SUMMER BREAK
Let’s take a moment and give ourselves a permission slip for the summer! Here are a few ideas of what you could do.
I give myself permission to…
- Laugh a lot
- Go on a vacation
- Not feel guilty to read a book all day
- Avoid social media
- Not work
The overwhelming message that I received from the hard work in Dare to Lead was that self-awareness and self-love matter. Who we are is how we lead. Brene Brown and Hailey Hardcastle call us to be courageous as leaders which includes looking out for ourselves.
Be Better.
Be Braver.
Be in the Moment.
See You Real Soon,
Erin
