Self Management
Elementary
What is Self Management?
The ability to successfully regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations — effectively managing stress, controlling impulses, and motivating oneself. The ability to set and work toward personal and academic goals.
Impulse control
Stress management
Self-discipline
Self-motivation
Goal-setting
Organizational skills
Self Management Strategies
Create a Schedule
During this time, it can be helpful to create a routine or make a checklist for yourself each day.
Discuss what a family schedule might look like with the people in your home.
Here is an example and template you can adopt!
Reflect
A great way to manage your emotions is to express yourself through reflection. You can do this by writing, journaling, drawing, or talking with someone.
How are you feeling?
What helps you feel calm?
Set Goals for the Future
Visualize your goals and dreams for the future, including how you plan to achieve these.
Create a vision board for yourself including pictures and quotes.
It can be a fun activity for your family to do together!
Engage in Healthy Habits
Now more than ever it is important to take care of yourself by washing your hands. There are steps you can take to keep safe. Other healthy habits include taking a walk and getting rest.
Check out this site for tips/tricks!
Coping Skills and Breathing
Breathing is a healthy coping skill and a way you can take care of yourself when you are feeling stressed. The way we breathe affects our whole body. When we are uncomfortable or have heightened feelings such as nervousness or fear, it is important to pay attention to our breathing. Deep breathing helps our body feel relaxed and calm.
Belly Breathing
Rock-A-Bye Breathing
Five Finger Breathing
Mindfulness
Mindfulness strategies teach us to be more present in the current moment. Mindfulness allows us to see our thoughts and feelings as they really are. This can be really helpful if we are worried or scared.
S.T.O.P. Practice
S: Stop what you are doing
T: Take a few breaths
O: Observe and check in what is going on around you
P: Pick how to proceed - "what's the most skillful thing to be doing next"
R.A.I.N. Practice
R: Recognize what is happening
A: Allow the experience to be there, just as it is
I: Investigate with interest and care
N: Nurture with self-compassion
Mindful Observation
Choose an object within your immediate environment
Simply relax and focus on watching it for a minute or two
Explore every piece of this object and allow yourself to concentrate and observe as if you are seeing it for the first time
Mindful Handwashing
Bring your awareness to the physical feeling of the water and soap
Acknowledge this experience as something that is real and right now
Incoporate a counting exercise if you can by washing your hands for the recommended 20-30 seconds
Self Care
Self care is the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress. Self care is important to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself as it produces positive feelings and boosts confidence and self-esteem. Good self care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety.
Self Care During COVID-19
Explore the additional resources below:
5 Strategies to Destress During COVID (for self and family)
Practice Self Compassion using one of these guided practices
5 Tips to Protect Your Mental Health During Coronavirus Outbreak
Resources for Coping with COVID-19 Stress from the CDC
Self Care Tips
Begin each day with a mindfulness practice, like this 3 minute video
Aim for 20 minutes of exercise / yoga each day, click here for morning yoga video
Practice gratitude using these prompts or one of these journal templates
Pamper yourself with a DIY Spa treatment
Make sleep a priority using this article on 17 Tips to Sleep Better
Practice self-compassion using one of these self-compassion exercises
Parents need self care too, try one of these 25 Simple Self Care Tools for Parents