Synergy Training for various staff groups will be communicated in May.

2020-2021 Training Requirements (De-escalation & Tech Ethics) will be released in May. More information will be coming with communication about the week of May 18-22.

Thank you for an amazing year!

Mindful Self-Care Part 2: Gratitude

by Shannon Cooley-Lovett, Disney Elementary

Gratitude allows us to shift our attention to a positive focus. Focusing on grateful thoughts and perceiving things positively become habits that result in additional appreciative thoughts. Instead of searching for “what’s wrong” with a situation, your brain will search for things to be grateful for, increasing optimism.

A growing body of research shows that people who regularly practice gratefulness tend to have improved well-being and more life satisfaction. They report less anxiety, depression, anger, and envy. Research also shows improved quality of sleep and increased physical health benefits, like lower blood pressure. Furthermore, benefits extend beyond the grateful person: others will benefit from your empathy, support, and forgiveness.

There are many gratitude-activities that you can incorporate into your daily routine to better handle stress, improve overall well-being, and strengthen relationships. Here are a few to try:

• Gratitude Reflection- Find a time of day to reflect on things you are grateful for. For example, first thing in the morning, before bed, or during a specific activity so it becomes a habit.

• Gratitude Journal- Keep a daily gratitude journal. Write 3 things you are grateful for or pick one thing and write a little more about why you are grateful for it each day.

• Gratitude Share- Share gratitude and appreciation with others often in any form (e.g. email, text, letter, verbally).

• Gratitude Walk- pay attention to your 5 senses while going for a walk and be grateful for the things you sense (e.g. hearing a bird sing, seeing beautiful flowers, etc.). Or, you can focus your attention on being grateful for something else you select during your walk.

• Gratitude Jar- Write 3 items you are grateful for on a small piece of paper each day. Read them when you’re feeling down to boost your mood.

• Grateful Moment- In any moment, stop and be grateful for what is. For example, while making dinner with your family, think of what you’re grateful for in that moment (e.g. family, food, help making dinner, the kitchen, etc.) Savoring these grateful thoughts, even small ones, builds your grateful focus.

• Gratitude Craft- Draw a flower and write something you are grateful for on each petal. Hang the flower up to remind yourself of all the things to be grateful for.

• Grateful Shift of Focus- When something small goes “wrong,” instead of dwelling on it, think of something you are grateful for in that moment to shift to something joyful.