Feeling the seasonal stress? Here is a simple strategy to try this week: spend just 2 to 5 minutes a day watching an inspirational video. A new APA study found that short uplifting clips can reduce stress as effectively as meditation, and the calming effects can last for days.

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Try gathering a few short videos such as TED Talks, commencement speeches, or meaningful personal stories, and share them with your team or family. One small moment of hope each day can make a real difference during this busy time of year.

Inspired by Dr. Tina Boogren’s Self Care for Educators podcast. Listen to the full episode for more strategies and encouragement.

What two words describe how I am feeling right now?

Naming emotions builds awareness and helps reduce their intensity. Two words keep the practice quick and honest and allow space for the mix of feelings that often show up at the same time. Try setting a reminder in the morning, midday, and evening to check in and notice how your emotions shift throughout the day. If you want to take it further, record your words and look for emerging patterns.

This practice can also be used in meetings, classrooms, or at home to support connection and empathy.

Inspired by Dr. Tina Boogren’s Self Care for Educators podcast. Listen to the full episode for more strategies and encouragement.

As the busy “BER” months settle in, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by endless to do lists. Dr. Tina Boogren, in her Self Care for Educators podcast, reminds us that sometimes the best gift we can give ourselves is to pause and create a stop doing list.

Instead of adding more tasks, try letting go of habits that drain your energy. A few examples:

• Stop scrolling right before bed.
• Stop skipping meals because your body needs fuel.
• Stop saying yes when you know it should be a no.
• Stop comparing yourself to others.
• Stop hitting snooze again and again, and try the five second rule instead.

By releasing just a few of these stress inducing habits, you can calm your nervous system, sleep better, and reclaim some peace in your day. This week, challenge yourself: what is on your stop doing list?

✨ Inspired by Dr. Tina Boogren’s Self Care for Educators podcast. Listen to the full episode for more strategies and encouragement!