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February 1, 2024
In her recent webinar, now available on-demand, Dr. Casey Collins covers a range of topics, including an assessment of current health, understanding circadian rhythms, exploring eight wellness indicators and their impact on overall well-being, and even delving into the concept of chakras. Read the blog below for a brief overview of the webinar.
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Do you have an understanding of circadian rhythms? Are you curious about the eight wellness indicators and their impact on overall well-being? Read on to learn more, and watch this free, for-credit webinar, Dimensions to Wellness, now available on-demand.
Educators and school staff operate in a challenging and demanding environment where the need to maintain their physical and mental well-being cannot be emphasized enough. The incorporation of self-care practices into their daily regimen is not a mere luxury, but a vital strategy to ensure optimal performance and a balanced lifestyle. This goes beyond just taking time off or engaging in favorite hobbies; it's about being proactive and intentional in maintaining overall wellness.
Wellness is a comprehensive term that touches on various aspects of our lives. It's not just about physical health, but also extends to financial, occupational, and emotional well-being. Financial stress, for instance, can have a profound impact on our overall health and performance. Similarly, occupational wellness directly affects job satisfaction and career progression. Emotional wellness, on the other hand, involves understanding and managing our feelings, which is critical for maintaining equilibrium in life.
Harnessing the power of circadian rhythms can serve as a practical and effective tool in the self-care kit for educators. By understanding and aligning with our body's natural rhythms, we can maximize our productivity, enhance our health, and ultimately, improve our quality of life.
Taking control of personal well-being is fundamental, and it starts with understanding the importance of self-care for educators. Consider how your personal circadian rhythm might affect your wellness and adjust your schedules accordingly. Remember, letting go of negative thoughts and focusing on the positive is key to maintaining a balanced lifestyle for overall wellness.
One of the key aspects of self-care is understanding our body's natural rhythms, known as the circadian rhythm. This rhythm, discovered by German zoologist Hans and Erwin in 1935, dictates when we are most alert, when we should eat, and when we should sleep. For example, our body stops secreting melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep, after 7:30 AM. This means that we are most alert around 10:00 AM, making it an ideal time for tasks that require high levels of concentration.
However, the demands of the teaching profession often mean that educators are expected to be alert and ready to teach as early as 8:00 AM. This can be challenging, especially when our body is still in the process of waking up. This is where the importance of a good breakfast comes in. Breaking the fast from the night before can provide the necessary energy to kickstart the day.
Exercise is another crucial aspect of self-care. According to the circadian rhythm, our greatest cardiovascular efficiency and muscle strength occur between 3:30 PM and 5:00 PM. However, the demands of the teaching profession often mean that educators are still in meetings or teaching during this time. Therefore, it is important to find a workout routine that fits into our schedule and aligns with our body's natural rhythms.
In addition to understanding our body's natural rhythms, there are other areas of wellness that can affect our well-being. These include emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual wellness. Each of these areas plays a crucial role in our overall health and well-being. For example, financial wellness can affect our stress levels, while social wellness can impact our sense of belonging and community.
One way to enhance our wellness is by reflecting on how different areas of wellness affect us. For instance, seasonal changes can significantly impact some people, leading to conditions like seasonal affective disorder. In such cases, finding ways to obtain as much sunlight as possible during the darker months can be beneficial. Similarly, working late hours can affect our intellectual wellness, and emotional stress can disrupt our sleep. Therefore, it's essential to identify the stressors in our lives and find ways to manage them effectively. Another crucial aspect of wellness is the power of words. What we say to ourselves and what we hear from others can significantly impact our health. Negative words or phrases can harm our well-being, while positive affirmations can enhance our wellness. Therefore, it's essential to surround ourselves with positivity and use affirmations to reduce negative thoughts. For instance, saying something like "Each and every day, in each and every way, my health is getting better and better" can help improve our wellness.
In wrapping up, it's crucial to underscore that self-care for educators is not just a luxury, but a vital necessity. By attuning ourselves to our body's natural rhythms and addressing multiple facets of wellness, we are able to optimize our performance and establish a sustainable work-life harmony. This not only enhances our personal well-being but also equips us to nurture others more effectively.
It's important for us to keep in mind that wellness isn't a finish line to cross, but an ongoing journey. Every stride we make towards enhancing our wellness is a meaningful contribution to our holistic health.
During this free, for-credit webinar, participants will delve into their own self-care practices, gaining insights to become more intentional about their wellness journey.
