Counselor’s Corner - March 21, 2023

Dear Teacher,

As a counselor, I often lead students through an activity designed to reduce stress and help them find peace.  I guide them to imagine themselves in their favorite place or a peaceful location and tap into the sights, sounds, and senses.  Many students will picture themselves a beach, listening to the waves crashing, watching seagulls diving, and tasting the salty wind.  In this way, I am able to minimize a student's inner voices and lessen their anxiety.  They find their "escape button."

And yet, last week was a reminder of Aristotle's famous quote: "Those that understand, teach."  

And it's true.  I teach guided imagery and mindfulness every day, mostly because I understand the immense need to combat troubled thoughts and find relief from anxiety.  So much so, that last week, despite actually being on a bohemian beach complete with turquoise waters, sandy shores, and palm tree shade, my internal stressors got the better of me.  There was no mindfulness practices, deep breathing exercises, or grounding techniques.  Instead, I was in my head, caught up in the stresses of daily to-dos, hurts from painful pasts, and worries of future tomorrows.  I couldn't find my "escape button."

Philippians 4:8 calls us find our "escape button" when Paul writes:

"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious -- the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.  Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized.  Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies. [The Message]"

In order to do so, consider using the Teacher Tips Stress Reducer Strategies below to decrease your educator and student anxiety.  And remember, despite the busyness of the approaching end-of-school-year, fill your minds with the best of your students, not the worst.  Focus on what has been beautiful about your teacher team, not the ugly.  Find things to praise about student behavior, not things to curse.  He'll make this year work together, and will work you into His most excellent harmonies.

Praying you find your "escape button,"   
Mindy Salyers
Christian School Counselor