On Tuesday, May 7th, Colonial is GOING GREEN for Mental Health Awareness month.
We encourage all our students and staff to wear green on May 7th to show our support for Mental Health awareness.
Day 1:Protect your mental health
5/1/2024 Daily Affirmation
“Asking for help is a sign of self-respect, not a sign of weakness”
Teacher Therapy
“To spend your life doing what matters is the greatest of all achievements. Teacher matters.”
Links
- Protect Your Mental Health
- Teacher Burnout Statistics
- Mental Health in America Statistics
- Building Your Coping Toolbox
- ComPsych: Registration Web ID: State of Delaware
Daily Activity
Identify 3 things negatively impacting your mental health. Choose one of those situations and complete the “Dealing with Tough Situations” worksheet.
Free Helpful Apps
Day 2: Four Things Impacting Your Mental Health
5/2/2024 Daily Affirmation
“I am more than my circumstances dictate”
Teacher Therapy
“Remember those teachers who influenced your life for the good. What did they do? How did they give you what you needed? Follow their example.”
Links
Daily Activity
Identify 3 things negatively impacting your mental health. Choose one of those situations and complete the “Dealing with Tough Situations” worksheet.
Free Helpful Apps
➤ Mood Kit
Day 3: It’s ok to not be ok
5/3/2024 Daily Affirmation
“I am allowed to ask for what I want and what I need”
Teacher Therapy
“Teaching is demanding-take care of yourself. Have a healthy lunch, make time for exercise, and get enough rest..”
Links
Daily Activity
Using the “Time to Talk” letter example, write a letter to yourself or a friend. Identify what you have been struggling with, how it makes you feel, how you feel talking to other people about your struggles, and what support you might need at this time.
Free Helpful Apps
Day 4: Stress
5/6/2024 Daily Affirmation
“I take things one day at a time.”
Free Helpful apps
➤ Calm
➤ Headspace
Teacher Therapy
“Teach your students it’s alright to make mistakes. Mistakes aren’t reasons for shame, they are chances to learn to do better.”
Links
- How Stress Impacts Your Body
- How Stress Impacts your Behavior
- Stress Symptoms
- More Stress Symptoms
- Worksheet: Stress Management
- Stress Management Tips
- Worksheet: Recognizing Stress
Daily Activity
1: Complete Stress Management Worksheet. Identify stressors and symptoms. Think about your social support, emotional management, life balance, and basic needs.
2: Complete Recognizing Stress Worksheet. Identify how you process stress physically, emotionally, and behaviorally and things you can do to reduce symptoms.
Day 5: stress management-exercise
5/7/2024 Daily Affirmation
“I am grateful for the opportunity to move and improve”
Teacher Therapy
“Each day you have the opportunity to offer your students the world, to give them life changing knowledge and experiences. Relish the possibilities.”
Links
Daily Activity
Choose at least one activity:
- Walk for 20 minutes.
- Complete 3 desk exercises.
- Try Chair Yoga
Free Helpful Apps
➤ My Fitness Pal
Day 6: stress management-Eat Healthy
Stress Management: Eat Healthy
Daily Affirmation:
I am committed to becoming the best version of myself.
Activities
Choose at least one:
-Plan your meals for next week.
-Try 2 new healthy foods you have never tried before.
-Plan a healthy lunch with co-workers.
Boost Mental Health with Nutrition
Links
My Net Diary
Lose It
Day 7: Stress Management: More Sleep
Daily Affirmation:
Consistency in my routine leads to remarkable results.
Activities
Choose at least one:
-Start a new bedtime routine
-Complete a Guided Meditation before bed
-Go to bed early
-Listen to a sleep story
Links
Apps:
- Calm
- Aura
- Medito
Day 8: stress management-Relax
5/9/2024 Daily Affirmation
I am relaxed and at peace.
Teacher Therapy
“Everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes…including you.”
Links
Daily Activity
Choose at least one:
-Complete Self-Care Assessment
-Color
-Give yourself at least 20 minutes of alone time.
-Go tech free for a night
Free Helpful Apps
Day 9:mindfulness-What is mindfulness?
5/13/2024 Daily Affirmation
My confidence grows when I step outside of my comfort zone.
Teacher Therapy
“Don’t forget, you are a person first and a teacher second.”
Links
7 Ways Mindfulness Can Help Teachers
Daily Activity
Complete one of the following activities.
-Mindfulness Walk
-Body Scan
-Five Senses
Did the activity help you to become more present? When could you incorporate this practice at work and home?
Free Helpful Apps
➤UCLA Mindful
➤Healthy Minds Program
➤Mindfulness.com
Day 10: mindfulness-mindfulness exercises
5/15/2024 Daily Affirmation
My strength is greater than my struggle.
Teacher Therapy
“Your breathing is your greatest friend. Return to it in all your troubles and you will find comfort and guidance.”
Links
Daily Activity
Try one of the mindfulness exercises.
Did the exercise help you to become more present? Could you use one of these exercises with your students? How would you sell your students on engaging in the exercise?
Free Helpful Apps
➤Smiling Mind
➤Insight Timer
Day 11: mindfulness-Meditation
Daily Affirmation
I can do anything I put my mind to.
Teacher Therapy
“May your coffee be strong and your students be calm”
Links
- Mindfulness and Meditation: What you Need to Know
- How to Meditate
- What is the Best Type of Meditation?
- 15 Minute Meditation for Patience and Resolve
- 12 Minute Meditation for Cultivating a Connection to Yourself
- 12 Minute Meditation for Challenging Emotions
- Guided Meditation for Gathering Energy
Daily Activity
Complete one Meditation. Was it difficult or easy? What did you like about it? What did you not like about it? In your daily life at work and home when could you incorporate this practice to improve your mindfulness?
Free Helpful Apps
➤Aura
➤Ten Percent Happier
Day 12: mindfulness-Meditation
Daily Affirmation
I can do anything I put my mind to.
Teacher Therapy
“May your coffee be strong and your students be calm”
Links
Mindfulness and Meditation: What you Need to Know
What is the Best Type of Meditation?
15 Minute Meditation for Patience and Resolve
12 Minute Meditation for Cultivating a Connection to Yourself
12 Minute Meditation for Challenging Emotions
Guided Meditation for Gathering Energy
Daily Activity
Complete one Meditation. Was it difficult or easy? What did you like about it? What did you not like about it? In your daily life at work and home when could you incorporate this practice to improve your mindfulness?
Free Helpful Apps
➤Aura
➤Ten Percent Happier