Summer.
Pretty please just go on forever. The warm sun, the freedom... to sleep in, stay up late, do anything you want. Frosty cans sitting in a cooler as you chill out.... in the pool, the beach, or the air conditioned hotel room if that’s where you happen to be at the time.
Summer is just plain awesome. And for educators it's extra special. Summer brings back the playful attitude that you learned as a child. It's found again, let loose, and allowed to run free and wild. It's 2 months to re-charge, re-fresh, get back in the game. I hate to be a Debbie Downer but, like all good things, it ends. And work is on the horizon. Bummer!
Well, summer may be coming to an end but that free, playful feeling doesn’t have to. This is what balance is all about.
The incredible thing about the human brain is that it loves to make believe. What’s even more interesting is that you can create and feel, and even physically react, the exact same way that you did with an actual live experience. Brain research has proven that just thinking and recalling the memory of something can bring back feelings that are just as strong as when you experienced them in the first place.
More often than not, you recognize this more with negative experiences. Right? Just think about it. You're frozen with terror when you see a picture of, or even hear, the word “spider”. You see where I’m going? If you can feel that intense emotion with a negative experience… you got it, Sunshine.
You can have those same warm fuzzies whenever you choose.
You just have to make the right triggers for yourself.
So once you're back in the daily grind, sitting at your desk, or reaching for that 4th cup of coffee to keep going there are ways to get that summer feeling back, and keep it.
Try these 4 on for size:
1. GRATITUDE...MORE THAN AN ATTITUDE
Summer seems to be a time when our gratitude meter is off the charts. Whether you know it or not you're practicing gratitude and simply put, this makes more.
Yep. The studies are in. Did you know that the practice of writing in a gratitude journal over a 1 month period actually changes your brain chemistry? With that kind of power, why aren’t we all doing it?
Open up a notebook, a journal, your computer, tablet or phone and take 5 minutes, YES ONLY 5 MINUTES, and fill in the blanks….
I am grateful for… 1, 2, 3
3 amazing things that happened today… 1, 2, 3
2. ONE MINUTE OF DAYDREAMING
I love Dr. Seuss. One of my favorite quotes is, 'Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened."
Make this your philosophy! It's a good one. Take a power minute and recharge with a joyful memory.
Create a trigger that intentionally reminds you to take a minute and remember. It could be a screensaver, a memento,such as sand in a jar on your desk, a picture you’ve framed on the wall. Whenever you look at it, soak it up for a minute, and let those feel good feelings flood through your body.
Break in case of emergency! Intentionally fill your space with joyful memories.
3. KEEP THE HABIT
Drink more water? Walk every day? Get up earlier? Be more active? Read a fluffy novel? The myth is that summer gives you time to be good to yourself. Whoa, hold up! Who’s giving you the time?
Me, myself, and I.
So why are you kicking those lovely habits that you created, straight to the curb the minute it gets hard?
I don’t know about you, but I’m in this thing called Life for the long haul. It’s not about who wins the race, it’s about who keeps running. So, some of those habits might not be feasible for the workplace (like sleeping in until 10:00), but getting 8 hours of sleep is. So is taking a water bottle to work. Or going for a walk during your lunch break. Y
You already did the hard part. Getting started. Now just keep going.
We make time for what's important. So, if it’s important to you, you will find the time, because it wasn’t summer that made those habits appear, it was you!
4. SOCIALLY CONNECT
Social media has made the quick, short, smiley face moment the easiest it could ever be. A fast text: We were in Hawaii together at this time!xo
Or, a Facebook post sharing a picture of those special times, with the caption: Loving my summer friends and summer days.
You know what happens next? Message diarrhea. The flood gates have been opened. Everyone is responding. Messages that are sincere, funny, long, short, or just a thumbs up. But the connection and the positive feelings that it creates is like drinking a Redbull.
Even months after, reach out and touch someone. I promise, you can’t possibly be on the other end of that and not smile!!!
You have what it takes. Now make this your take away…
Your summer glow isn’t only from the kiss of the sun, it’s an inner glow. Keep it fresh by doing what it takes.
As always take what you need and leave the rest.
With much love and appreciation,
Laurie-Ell xo
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