The two most powerful words you can say to yourself (or think about yourself) are, “I AM.” Science suggests that when those two words are followed by positive adjectives such as happy, proud, grateful, encouraged, etc. the body immediately responds by secreting chemicals like dopamine and serotonin to further support those words in becoming true. […]
Articles
How To Airdrop Without Your Phone
Our nervous system is constantly in communication with the nervous systems of the people around us. This is an innate ability that does not involve our conscious minds. We subtly share information about how we are feeling and what we are thinking. That information is transmitted to others similarly to how your phone transmits information […]
The Upstairs and Downstairs Brains: What They Are and How to Control Them
Many teachers welcome students through the door and get straight to the work at hand. While positioned as an immediate, “do now” action, this type of quiet, seated work allows both the students and teacher to await the arrival of the rest of the class. This is often thought to “get the thinking juices flowing,” […]
Did You Know You Have Superpowers?
Since I began studying the practices of yoga and mindfulness 15 years ago, I have always been fascinated by the research surrounding human neurology and physiology. After the first few classes of learning how to control my breath, stay grounded in my body, and notice the fluctuations in my mind, I knew there was something […]
The Power of Belonging
“True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.” ― Brené Brown This holiday season, I thought a lot about this quote by Brené Brown. Although we were all on edge with the proliferation of Omicron, all three of our children were able to make it […]
Caring for Mental Health is Like Brushing Your Teeth
I bet you have been brushing your teeth for as long as you can remember. Oral hygiene is important. We are taught this at such a very young age. I actually remember lessons from when I was in elementary school, specifically teaching us how to properly brush our teeth. It makes sense that we value […]
3 Steps for Creating Positive Change in the Classroom
As educators, we often get caught up in the day-to-day occurrences in our life, failing to take time to stop, notice and respond to the situation in front of us. We find ourselves ruminating over the frustrations and annoyances of the past, and become easily overwhelmed from the continual worrying and anticipation of what may […]
Reducing Pandemic-related Trauma for Educators and Students
According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, one in every three students in classrooms across the U.S. had been exposed to a traumatic event prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. While managing students’ mental health had been a concern for school districts long before then, the global health crisis has made these types of mental […]
