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Employee Wellness Newsletter

Support the Spread of Wellness

Employee WellnessNewsletterSupport the Spread of Wellness

September 2020

Self-Care Comes First

The IISD EWS Newletter

This newsletter will provide you with information on emotional, mental, physical and nutritional health. We will focus on how to help you be proactive about your health and well-being. The EWS Newsletter will also provide support & guidance resources that we hope will assist you in dealing with stressors and challenges.

Self-Care Comes First

It is normal to feel stressed or overwhelmed during uncertain times. Emotions in response to uncertainty may include anxiety, fear, anger and sadness. Physical responses may include headaches, muscle tension, fatigue and sleeplessness.


Taking care of yourself and managing your emotions is essential, so you are better equipped to help the important people around you.


Source: Self-care tips during the COVID-19 pandemic

Secure Your Own Mask First

Before Assisting Others

Anyone who has flown has heard a flight attendant say, “In the event of a sudden drop in cabin pressure, an oxygen mask will drop from above. Secure your own mask first before assisting others."


This means that we genuinely need to take care of ourselves first before we take care of others during these challenging times. The problem for many of us is that it may feel self-centered, because we believe in putting others first, especially in education. We see our jobs as a vocation. We do this work because we love helping others become the best people they can be. Thinking about ourselves first may seem selfish.


Source: The Village Family Service Center

Know your worth

Maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself produces positive feelings and boosts your confidence and self-esteem. Also, self-care is necessary to remind yourself and others that you and your needs are important too.


Source: Forbes

Here are a few tips you can use to take care of yourself

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Physical health

Eating right, physical activity, adequate rest and taking care of our mental health not only improves overall health and wellness, but also makes us more resilient.

  • Fuel your body by eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and drinking plenty of water.
  • Aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
  • Exercise every day.
  • Take deep breaths and stretch often.
  • Avoid risky or destructive behaviors, such as abusing alcohol or drugs, excessive gambling or ignoring public health recommendations.
  • Spend time outside, such as going for a walk in the park, but follow social distancing guidelines.
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Mental health

While physical health is top priority, be sure to also take care of your mental wellbeing during this stressful and challenging time.

  • Focus on things you can control, listening to music and reading something entertaining.

  • Use technology to maintain social connections with your loved ones.

  • Focus your thoughts on the present and things to be grateful for today.

  • Lean on your personal beliefs and faith for support.

  • Look for ways to help your community, such as checking on older people in your neighborhood, or donating supplies.

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Symptoms to watch for

If any of these things become persistent or interfere with daily functioning and are outside the norm for the COVID19 pandemic, contact your provider for help and guidance:

  • Trouble focusing on daily activities

  • Anxiety that turns into feelings of being out of control

  • Strong feelings that interfere with daily activities

  • Having emotions that become difficult to manage

  • Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness


Source: Self-care tips during the COVID-19 pandemic

Emotional Check-Ins

Check Your Feelings

Remember that our emotional and physical responses are cues that our body uses to help us realize how we are feeling.


Perhaps our shoulders are tense, we are walking quicker than normal, or maybe our heart is racing. For many of us these physical signs are the easiest way to recognize the intensity of our emotions.


Emotional Check-Ins are tools we can use to check on our mental and emotional health. They’re designed to help us get an accurate reading of how we feel before our body tells us something is wrong.


Rank your mood today on a scale of 1 to 10,

with 1 being the worst mood and 10 being the best.


Check-in questions:


• How am I feeling today? (mentally and physically)

• What’s taking up most of my headspace today?

• When did I last eat a healthy meal?

• When was I last active – exercising, walking, jogging, stretching, meditation?

• Did I get a good night’s sleep last night?

• When was the last time I had a good laugh?

• What will I engage in today that will bring me joy?


Check-In Buddy:


Choose a check-in buddy you can be honest with and who will not judge how you are coping with all that is happening around you, someone who will support and guide you. This may be your spouse, partner, family member, friend or co-worker. A check-in buddy can help us find balance and stability when things become tough to manage. They can be the shoulder we cry on and provide the laughter we need to remain positive.


Source: Emotional Check-ins: Why You Need Them

Copying Skills

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Relaxation, Deep Breathing

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Meditation Mindfullness

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Physical Activity

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Music, Hobbies

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Distractions: Books, Movies, TV

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Social Support and Connection

The Importance of Family and Friends

No words can adequately describe the importance that our family and friends play in our lives. Many times they continue to mentor, support, give us a sense of belonging all of our life.


During these unprecedented times, it has never been more important to stay in touch with the people we love. Banned gatherings and mandated social distancing, have made it increasingly challenging to be around these important people. How can we stay close to our loved ones without putting them or ourselves in danger?


Most of us know about virtual gatherings, but how can we make them more fun and interesting?


  • Schedule a virtual movie night where everyone watches the same movie at the same time. You can talk, laugh, cry, or complain about the movie as if you were sitting next to each other.

  • Scavenger hunts could be another way to make virtual family and friends' night more fun and interesting. One person creates a list of items to find in everyone's perspective homes. The person or family who finds them first wins and gets to create the next scavenger hunt list.

  • Set up a virtual game night. The internet provides websites and Apps that offer suggestions. Here are a few: Rento 3D, Bughouse Chess, PlayCharades.net


Remember that our family and friends help shape who we are. They are the most important people in our lives. They provide the safety and security we need now more than ever. Let's continue to have fun with them and appreciate every day we have together.


Source: Ways Family and Friends are Keeping in Touch During COVID-19

Irving ISD Employee Assistance Program

Cigna Life Assistance Program Offers 3 free Counseling Sessions

Cignalap.com | 800-538-3543

About Us


Our Employee Wellness and Support Services provides opportunities and resources for employees to develop and maintain healthy emotional, mental, and physical well-being through support and guidance, as well as promoting personal and professional productivity through educational engagement.


For more information about Employee Wellness and Support Services visit our website:

Employee Wellness and Support Services or contact Jose Villasenor, EWS Coordinator:

jovillasenor@irvingisd.net | 972-600-5217 Office | 469-781-1843 Mobile

The Employee Wellness and Support Classes are Back

"Continuing to Build Your Immune System Naturally"


This Employee Wellness class will discuss staying healthy during the COVID pandemic from a holistic perspective. This presentation will build upon topics discussed in the previous Employee Wellness class (Building Your Immune System Naturally) and explore more ways to heighten our body's defenses. Attendance in the previous session is not required.


Course instructor: Yumlish Nutritional Counseling

Moderator: Jose Villasenor


There are several opportunities to attend this 30 minute EWS class throughout the month of September via the Zoom format. "Continuing to Build Your Immune System Naturally" will be offered the each Wednesday and Thursday in September. Class options are noon, 3:30 and 4:30. Noon classes are not eligible for 20-21 required PD credit.


Register here on Strive using your district credentials.


Zoom info: https://Region10.zoom.us/j/2803774870?pwd=S2ZYNlY1STd3cnhFOGdFR0Z3cGpQUT09 Password: 777

Support the Spread of Wellness

I wish you well every day in my heart.

Newsletter

Questions, Suggestions, Comments

Contact

Jose Villasenor

jovillasenor@irvingisd.net

972-600-5217 O | 469-781-1843 M