Habits

Happy Thursday,

I started reading a new book last year.  It was a book recommended to me by a fellow educator family member.  I am only on page seven, but it already as me thinking about ideas to share with you. For sure this school year has been unprecedented and certainly, kids have continued to learn valuable information from desks (or kitchen tables, or couches, or beds) at home.  Clearly, however, the same opportunities that have existed in past years did not exist these last 9 weeks.  There were no hands-on science experiences, trips to Boston, group projects, trips to the Flynn Theater, and no orienteering around the school property.  There was no Velocity group or Girls on the Run and no reminders not to run in the hallway or pick up the lunch table because it's the right thing to do!

Just because these opportunities didn't exist, however, doesn't mean that you weren't learning valuable things while quarantined at home, but there was certainly more room for the "summer slide" to happen if you were inclined to let it.  This book that I have started to read called, Atomic Habits, by James Clear highlights the idea that small positive habits can help you fulfill your human potential.  In his introduction, Clear writes, "...changes that seem small and unimportant at first will compound into remarkable results if you're willing to stick with them for years...the quality of our lives often depends on the quality of our habits.  With the same habits, you'll end up with the same results.  But with better habits, anything is possible."  

After reading this I immediately knew I wanted to share it with all of you in the context of your upcoming summers.  When school ends in the next couple of weeks, you could set aside your work routines, focus only on having fun, finding ways to connect with friends, and not worrying about what habits you establish for yourself, or you could think about which of your habits are helping you reach your human potential and thus are important to pay attention to over the summer.  

Here are some habits I think you could practice over the summer which would support you arriving back at school in the fall ready to learn and grow.

1.  Make your bed each morning or at least tidy up your personal space.  I'll admit, that I don't regularly make my bed, but when I do, it feels so good at the end of the day to settle into that organized environment when I am tired at the end of the day.  Even though I don't always make my bed, I do clean my kitchen and school "workspace" ever day.  I have a hard time organizing my mental headspace if my physical one is a mess, and since the kitchen is the hub of our house, I regularly do dishes, organize counter spaces, and make my spouse and kids remove the detritus of their days out of that space.  

2.  Eat food that nourishes your body and your soul.  Choose foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals.  Get plenty of water and whole grains, and choose lean proteins like chicken and fish and other lean meats.  Try to limit the junk food and sugary drinks that can send your blood sugar spiking and crashing and causing you to feel sluggish and moody.  When you do eat sweets, choose wisely.  Don't plow a package of Oreos just because you are bored and zoning in front of the TV, but do enjoy that strawberry shortcake on the Fourth of July!    

3.  Speaking of TV, step away from the screens.  We've all had too much of them these past weeks, and we all know that too much screen time isn't healthy for our brains or bodies.  Screens are part of our lives, and we're never going to be able to avoid them altogether, but you can make a plan and set limits for yourself so that you don't end up binging show after show all summer long.   

4.  Move your body every day.  Choose activities each day that elevate your heart rate and get your blood pumping.  Go swimming, take a run, jump on your bike, hit the trampoline in the yard, enjoy a walk with your family or friends, take a class or attend a camp if available, find a work out routine on you-tube, whatever, just get out there and move.  It only takes 30 minutes a day to improve your physical fitness, and the more the better for all of you kids!     

5.  Read every day.  I know, I know who wants to read when you don't have to, but reading is a great way to escape into so many stories and adventures!  It allows you to dream, and imagine, and set goals for your future.  You can learn things and grow your mind, so even if it's just for 30 minutes each day, just do it!

6.  Choose kindness - it matters.  When you interact with others at home, around town, and in shared spaces, choose to be kind to others.  Say please and thank you, offer compliments, and share smiles.  Kindness costs you nothing and can have a huge impact on someone else's day.  Remember that you don't know what challenges others are facing, so don't judge.  Be patient and careful with others and you will likely see that care returned to you.   

7.  Challenge yourself.  This one is just what it says, challenge yourself by thinking about something you want to accomplish over the summer and try to set some small goals to accomplish it.  Want to improve your jump-shot? Get practicing!  Want to learn to play the guitar?  How are you going to do it?  Want to be able to run a 5k in the fall?  Start small, but get out there!  Whatever the goal - great!  Just figure out the small steps and keep it manageable.  This probably isn't the summer to try to plan anything too grand, but it's a summer where we may have to entertain our selves more than usual, so it's a summer when we can look for those little challenges.   

If you have ideas about other habits that we should be cultivating over the summer, please feel free to share in the comments, or shoot me an email.  I'd love to hear what you are thinking.  I hope you are able to spend this summer working to reach your potential.  Be sure to let me know how I can help!  

Be Well Everyone!

Mrs. Hempey