When was the last time you felt you were thriving? Winning at life? On it? If your answer is unprintable, then you’re not alone. If indeed you are thriving, hooray! What got you there, and more importantly, what can keep you there?
OK, we know this isn’t Disney. No one can always thrive, and some things happen that are out of control, tipping the balance, like illness, relationship breakups, or no milk in the fridge…
Often, when we share the Surviving to Thriving matrix with people in education, they see it as a cyclical process, i.e.:
- Thriving = start of term
- Surviving = during term
- Burnout = end-of-term
- Recovery = term break
Maybe you’ve been to the doctor, who advised you to ‘avoid stress’ - and you’ve wanted to laugh in their face. How do you work in education and avoid stress? Hide in the cupboard with the crayons?! Also, we need stress to get shizz done, but we just don’t need it constantly; that’s when it can be unhealthy.
Have you ever ploughed on through the term to get to the end, with all eyes on the rest coming your way? Perhaps you’ve booked that trip abroad or a weekend with your mates?
And you finally get there, you finally stop, your mind and body get the all-clear to come out of stress/survival mode – and you become ill? It’s a common tale.
So, what is your reset button? What can you do regularly to fill your cup, keep you afloat, and possibly even sail?
Finding stuff that works for you
I’m a wild swimmer but I won’t inflict that on you at this time of year unless you’re already in the blue nips and lips club. It’s not for us to tell you what to do. Different things work for different people.
And we need different things at different times. Do you know yourself well enough to know if you need refuelling, re-energising, or if you simply need to stop? This is something to reflect on; maybe a good staff room conversation starter?
Talk about what behaviours you show when you are thriving and surviving. Sharing this with each other means you’re more likely to spot when you or someone else is heading towards burnout, and action can be taken.
What we can do is can share the science with you about the happy hormones. Here at Happy-Centred Schools, we talk about giving people a DOSE of happiness. Below are some simple tips that don’t cost you any money and don't take much time to boost your happiness. Consciously plan these into your every day, and over time, with practice, you’ll do them without thinking.
A DOSE of happiness
- D is for Dopamine. Dopamine is the pleasure hormone linked to reward and recognition, and we can get addicted to that rush of pleasure by consuming things that aren’t great for us. But on the FLIP side, ticking off a to-do list and giving and receiving compliments can give you a nice healthy dose.
- O is for Oxytocin, often called the ‘love’ hormone. OK, stay with me; you can trigger oxytocin with your clothes on, with a proper hug. And if you are hug-averse, listening to music can also increase oxytocin levels.
- S is for Serotonin. Get out! No, seriously, get outside in the daylight, whatever the weather, even for five minutes.
- E is for Endorphins. Exercise, sex, and laughing are all good ways to boost your endorphins. What’s possible for you? Yes, OK, INSERT YOUR OWN JOKES HERE. If the word ‘exercise’ triggers PE memory trauma for you, then think about moving your body in a way that you enjoy. Just because Carol next door is a gym bunny in her loud lycra doesn’t mean you have to be.
These aren’t just ‘nice to haves’; they’re essential for stress management and keeping you from burnout.
The question is: What works for YOU?
If your school team needs some support with mental health and wellbeing, check out our workshop or, alternatively, contact us to find out more about how we can help - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kerry Leigh has been a professional comedian and compere for over 20 years and is one of our most experienced and sought-after consultants and facilitators. She has a talent for quickly building rapport with any group and is a captivating trainer and host. Not only that, but she was the child star of the Operation board game TV ads and has a deep appreciation of stationery, being particularly happy when she has a good-quality notebook in her hand.
