Winning August
August is a magical moment for those of us whose lives are tied to the rhythms of education. Campuses are alive with anticipation and students return to classrooms with enthusiasm and joyful hope for the year. There is a dark lure of August, however, where we fall into the trap of sacrificing our personal wellness to the activities of the new year. We work longer hours, eat unhealthy food and neglect our families, friends (and pets!) and ourselves.
What if we chose to experience a different kind of August?
This year, we resolve to serve students – longer hours are to be expected, make no mistake. August is still August, after all. But we can role model to our students and peers how to stay sharp even during the busiest month of our year. I invite us all to consider how we can choose a few sustainable habits, put them into practice and Win August. Winning August is about purposefully experiencing the magical month of August without losing ourselves in the process.
Balance Over Busy
Give students a powerful lesson in self-care management by sharing how you are being sure to recharge during August. Help your student leaders Win August by role modelling finding balance, even during a busy time. Students of all ages fall prey to the Busy Trap. They see professionals they admire bustling about, accomplishing great things, and they get the misguided notion to romanticize being Busy.
Role modelling how an accomplished person finds balance encourages students to make similar choices instead of burning the candle at both ends.
Overcoming Empty Calories
I refer to August as “pizza month.” With all the student trainings and events, pizza is a student-friendly option, for sure – it’s fun food. But too often, the fast food drains our energy. How will you stay healthy in the wake of all the beginning of school treats? Can you stock up your desk drawer with your favorite granola bars, and make sure there are a few healthy frozen dinners in the office kitchen freezer for emergencies (don’t forget to mark them so no one snags them!)
Take a Rotation
Winning August is a great team project – it builds comradery and connection as staff seek ways to support one another. During the busy “all hands on deck” weeks, can you rotate who can have the afternoons and evenings off so that everyone gets a brain break? Or can you take turns with who stays til the bitter end of events? Teamwork hint: if others cover for you, be sure to thank them with a note. Gratitude is a potent way to lift your spirit!
Get Outside
What are some 20-minute walk routes you can take on days that getting to the gym is beyond your capacity? If there is a part of campus you rarely visit, can August be the month you use a regular walk to that space as a quick endorphin break?
We all realize that the days we exercise, we are more productive and optimistic. The rush of positive chemicals for your body when you get time to take that walk pay off. Motivation to continue your physical habits is key when there are competing interests. BTW, your campus stroll does NOT need not be a long distance. The idea is to keep you engaged in the activities, not train for a marathon. August IS a marathon!
Social September
One of the toughest parts of August is missing our support systems – it’s harder to see partners, kids and friends with this crazy August schedule! Reach out to a few folks and plan a commitment in September with those people and ask them to plan your outing together. You’ll have a few fun things to look forward to, and you’ll be able to recharge your social batteries. And – if anyone in your support system asks how they can help you stay upbeat, tell them that you’d love care packages… just like our students!
Looking for "Gratefuls"
A favorite personal practice – especially during busy times – is to set aside time to reflect on things for which I am grateful from that day. Especially when I’m stressed or worried, I take time (often right before falling asleep) to remember my day and look for 3 things from that day for which I am grateful. After a day or two, I find myself paying attention to things during my day, looking for “gratefuls” because I’ve trained my subconscious to seek and retain those feelings…That’s the way I remember the best parts of my day and my life when I am particularly stressed.
