Time to de-Stress

"I'm stressed out!"

This is a favorite phrase among many college students. In fact, I remember clearly how often I used to say it to myself and others when I was a college student. Perhaps I was "stressed out", but what really does that mean? For me, it usually meant one of two things: that I was involved in too many activities - and I had no 'me' time., or I was stuck needed to make a decision whether to do one thing or another, and I was having difficulties deciding. As I think back on the times when I was "stressed out", those two major reasons come to mind.

What can we do to de-stress? Each person de-stresses differently. It is important for every individual to decide what works for them and adapt it to fit their lifestyle. There are plenty of ways to destress, some healthy and some unhealthy. Hopefully, the healthy activities are those that are chosen.

Below are a few ideas that may be of use for you:

Ever done a relaxation breathing exercise? Head over to www.coolkarma.com and check out their 10 minute breathing exercises. Best yet - it's free! Find a comfortable spot to lay down and follow the video to (hopefully) soothe your body and thoughts.

Perhaps a Stress Management Analysis would help you determine what is effective for you individually.

Books are an amazing way to take you away from reality but yet can help find answers for real problems as well. My favorite book that helps me take one thing at a time is So Few of Me by Peter H. Reynolds. A true genius at connecting to real-life issues. Check out his book at Amazon, or his website http://peterhreynolds.com

If you are feeling crafty, making a stress ball may be beneficial.

Ever tried yoga?

Have more ideas for de-stressing? Share them!

Roles, Relationships & Realism

Relationships take work. I don't think anyone can deny that.
Think of all the roles you have in your life - child, parent, friend, significant other, student, mentor, sibling, roommate, coworker, etc. Each role you have has a unique relationship with another person. For example, your relationship with your coworker is probably more formal than that relationship you have with your roommate. Choose one relationship that is meaningful to you (meaning, you want to continue to maintain it). What would help that relationship grow?

What can YOU do to enhance the relationship (think realistically, here).

With my siblings, our relationship would be much deeper if I were to open up and engage with them what struggles I were facing. Discussing my frustrations isn't easy, but it would definitely enhance our connection. When they upset me, I need to tell them, instead of simply absorbing my feelings. The next time I see 2 of my siblings will be this weekend. I am motivated to speak honestly and open to them. Our relationship can only be strengthened if I am motivated to open up and communicate honestly.

Share on your blog your specific situation. List one goal that you will work towards achieving next time you are with that person.

Yoga

Ever taken part in a yoga class?? Or, perhaps, you've tried it on the Wii fit? Today we're replacing class with yoga.

Check out: http://www.yogajournal.com/ for more information or tips for your life.

Check later for additional videos or clips from our yoga experience!

Eating Disorders - not a thing of the past

When I was in high school, eating disorders were focused on somewhat heavily. Every time a classmate wasn't eating as was thought they should, someone would wonder. In a small school, word got around fast. Most concerns weren't valid - they were simply someone trying to stir up gossip. However, eating disorders aren't something to toy around with, and they aren't just a fad that begins and ends in high school. Recently, a student at our college was found dead of complications stemming from earlier struggles with anorexia. This news was (and continues to be) shocking and saddening for the campus, community, and family and friends of this student.

As future counselors, what can you do to increase awareness of eating disorders? What steps can you take to ensure you are setting a good example for others? And, lastly, if you are struggling yourself, where can you go to receive help so something similar doesn't happen to you?

No class, but higher expectations

No class for a week! It may be a dream come true for some of you - but stressful for others, too. Although we aren't having class, we still have assignments due. It is my hope that you are able to spend quality time working on these projects. They are tough to do in class - but finding time to meet outside of class is difficult as well.

Do I expect to much? No, I think expectations aren't high enough sometimes. However, students really should have the real "say" in where the expectations are. Hopefully each one of them knows what they can achieve at this point in their career. Can they push themselves even higher? That's for them to decide. I am not a Jillian Michaels, I don't push that hard. Perhaps, though, results would be of better quality if I were. However, that's not who I am right now.
Push yourselves harder and grow deeper - in ways you had only dreamed of before. How do you get to be a successful counselor {insert career goal}? By being the best PERSON you can be.

Use this class as an opportunity to find out who you really are. Then choose whether to accept that person or challenge that person to change. That's what this class is for.

growING...

My original idea to exercise more seems to be a thought of the past...the WAY past. I haven't nearly enough time to think about exercising....and now that it is cold, my thoughts are near to dead. (However, I do clearly remember one morning I did 10 minutes of hula hooping on the Wii Fit. I love that game.)

Personally, I have so many goals in life - perhaps, dreams is a better word - but it doesn't seem that there is enough time or energy or money to complete those. I have made tiny bits of progress..but my biggest progression has been to stop and think about the goals I have. Organization has seemed to help, and will continue to help my achievement of personal growth goals.

An unconventional idol

"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are."
-Kurt Cobain

In college, one of my part time jobs was to tutor a young male who was struggling in school. He was also in trouble with the law, but that was not my area of expertise. He had been into some trouble and had an interesting lifestyle. He, nevertheless, had some interesting and nontraditional idols. Kurt Cobain was one of his idols. Each week we met at the library, and after he finished his homework, he was able to look for some books to read to pass the time. One of his favorites was Kurt's life story. It was uncomfortable for me to hear praise for him when I had known of different parts of his lifestyle.

This story doesn't have a lot to do with the quote, just that whenever I hear of Kurt Cobain I think of my young mentee. Perhaps, though, had I known about this quote back then, I would have been more motivated to encourage learning about Kurt Cobain.

This quote has had significant importance on my life - and will continue to. It is something that I am able to repeat to myself regularly. It is too easy in this world to get wrapped up in someone else's life and "wish" for something else.

What can YOU be proud of? Who are YOU? Those are important questions to look at - and answer - without having any reservations.

Thanks, Kurt, for providing good in the midst of trouble.

A New Focus

Perhaps an assignment to "blog thoughts" is seen as mundane or unnecessary for some of my students. However, I have learned a great deal from many posts this weekend. Whether or not they knew I was reading them (I would hope so..since they are getting a grade for participating!) I appreciated the honest feedback from the somewhat disaster of a class last week.

My intentions were good - my delivery was not. And, luckily, it's early enough in the semester we can slow down and fix what problems we've caused -- er -- I've caused.

Tomorrow we have class again. We will focus on our one project - and make it powerful and successful.

Now that everyone has had a peek into what goes on in my mind, perhaps you feel sorry for my husband... :)

Students, please continue to provide feedback.. I do appreciate it.

a MiX-e-D up Class

Wow.
Class has been over for approximately 6 hours, but that doesn't mean I haven't stopped thinking about it. Although I had the class planned as I walked up the three flights of stairs, as soon as I got to the top, things somehow changed. As students shared their first publications, I got inspired. I had so many ideas for future publications in my head - I'm pretty sure I overwhelmed every single student that sat in front of me today.

I need to STOP or at least Slow Down. Making students confused will not get desirable results. I will spend this weekend getting organized, as much as I can. When Tuesday comes, hopefully we can iron out some details - and students will feel confident in themselves and their work. That is, after all, a main focus of this class.

On another note, I was able to take some time out of my busy schedule and watch a softball game tonight. It was refreshing - and my daughter loved playing in the grass and watching the balls getting hit and caught. As we drove the short drive home, she crashed in her car seat. She was worn out.

On the happiest note of all, Jim was promoted on 'The Office'. Ah, I love Thursday TV.

Have a great Thursday night everyone!

My Mirror Image

It may be easy for some people to mix up the terms self-concept and self-esteem. After all, they both are focused on ourselves. However, there is significant differences. To explain in simple terms, self-concept can be thought of as how you see yourself. Self-esteem, on the other hand, is what you feel about yourself. Perhaps someone else has a different way to describe the differences. For me, that makes the most sense.

A mirror image of me...
educated and yet still learning, positive but frustrated, impatient but working on changing that, situational about everything, knowledgeable yet passive, creative yet lacking outlets, family-oriented which is growing deeper every day, focused on positive side of people, complex mind with so many ideas.

Some theorists believe that our self-concept is developed in the formative years. For the most part, I can look at my self-concept and believe that to be true. However, there are things that I believe have changed throughout life given my specific situations or feedback from others. Am I wrong? Perhaps, but is there a "wrong" answer? Perhaps not.

With school counseling as my true "love", I think we need to focus on children developing a positive self-concept - something that will stay with them throughout their entire lives (with fleeting changes perhaps), rather than self-esteem, which tends to be focused on how others see oneself. It can easily be seen how that could be more damaging in the future.

My self-concept today has been pretty icky - as I have spent most of the day sick in bed. I am sure that this will go away when I feel better and am able to accomplish more tasks, but right now I feel pretty un-accomplished (if that is a word!)

Here I go!

What would I change about myself if I could? There are many things, as I suppose there would be with anyone. If I knew these wishes would be granted, then of course I'd disclose all of them. However, one area that I want to focus on this semester is my level of exercise. Why is that I KNOW exercise is beneficial for keeping oneself healthy, yet I don't do it like I should? One excuse is time, another is a place to do it. My neighborhood isn't the best area to go jogging in - especially at night. But, there are many other drivable places that I could enjoy a nice area to exercise in. Time is tough - there will never be enough time in a day -- but I need to make time for the most important activities. With my family is where I like to spend most of my free time. Perhaps I could think of a few ways to incorporate exercise with my family. Nevertheless, I am going to focus on changing my exercise habits this semester. I want to work up to exercising at least 4 times a week. I have a lot of room to grow - and a lot of ideas on how to make my goal become successful.

"Lots of Pieces makes one whole"

In the words of Daniel Pink, "Six word stories can say alot". Using his ice breaking activity, my students once again created 6-word stories on the first day of class. And, once again, I was amazed at the depth and creativity of them. We didn't get to discuss them at length, but it was evident much thought went into the 5 minute exercise. I chose to participate as well this year. In thinking of my career I chose to write: "Lots of pieces makes one whole". I think it about sums up me at this point!
Thanks, Daniel Pink, for the great activity!

http://www.danpink.com/archives/2008/05/six-word-stories-can-say-lots

Fall -- Here we come!

Woohoo!! Another semester has come! I am so excited to begin another school year. Of course, school starts next week and I feel like I still have so much work to do. However, if my past continues to be true, I work the best under pressure. Although I am a procrastinator at times, I like to think I am very organized and on-time at times, also! One more week of planning..and then I will have many more blogged journeys to follow. I am excited to follow growth for all of my students, as well as for myself.