Self-Care Resources
Here’s a reflection that I needed to read, personally, and as a retreat leader.
The media and the Scriptures remind us to rest. I feel my shame creeping in as I realize that my body, mind and soul say they need rest. I am not a martyr by any means. I am, however, a pragmatist. The times feel hopeful and hard, and there’s work to be done.
What is rest? How are we offering it? How are we taking it?
Zoom fatigue is real, and there are researched reasons why:
Excessive amounts of close-up eye contact is highly intense.
Seeing yourself during video chats constantly in real-time is fatiguing.
Video chats dramatically reduce our usual mobility.
The cognitive load is much higher in video chats.
Like any emotion, [anger] includes a physiological response (including increased heart rate and muscle tension), typical thoughts (such as blaming others or wanting revenge), and predictable behaviour (such as a desire to lash out either verbally or physically). Importantly, even though there is often a desire to act in this way, most people don’t.
This article on Psyche.com includes three steps for understanding and using your anger productively.
It’s common advice, but there’s a reason for it: Breaking up your day by going outside can boost your mood, brainpower, and creativity.
There are two kinds of happy people: Some of us strive for a virtuous life. Others strive for a pleasant one. We could all use a better balance.
(It’s a long read, but interesting!)
Even though switching off can feel counterproductive, it’s playing the long game.There needs to be space between the occupancy of self and work. Taking the breaks we’re entitled to is a good way to have respite and create space — the coffee breaks, the lunch breaks, the vacation time and (if we’re unwell) sick leave. Creating space by taking breaks doesn’t mean that we’re no longer passionate, dedicated or motivated — it simply increases our capacity to keep harnessing our passion, dedication and motivation.
Keep reading, excerpted from the new book Making Space: How to Live Happier by Setting Boundaries That Work for You by Jayne Hardy.
Unacknowledged fear can turn us into unconscious leaders:
It’s hard to recognize in others what we don’t first see in ourselves. As we practice becoming more self-aware through conscious self-exploration, we will find it easier to see into others deeply and with precision. We may even find ourselves identifying others’ unconscious motivations before they do.
Self-awareness is critical in the workplace because it allows us to make smarter hiring decisions, nominate stronger leaders, and serve as empathic and inspirational mentors.
Tell Me Something Good is a new web series from The Episcopal Church. It highlights positive stories from around the church through conversations with a variety of guests. The series is hosted by Jerusalem Greer, Episcopal Church staff officer for evangelism and the Rev. Marcus Halley, dean of formation of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, and new episodes will be released every other week. Catch up on the series here.
What objects around your are subtly (or overwhelmingly) causing you to feel regret, overwhelm, stuck-ness, shame, guilt, or anxiety? Consider how to address or remove these triggers from your home or office, and prepare for 2021.
Where to look for stuck-ness in your home:
- Spaces that are unfinished or undecorated
- Art propped up against the walls that hasn’t been framed or hung
- Things you have been saving for a future life that you might enjoy right now (e.g. fancy dishes, family heirlooms)
- Styles or objects that you feel you’ve outgrown
This article offers four practices for engaging and managing Gen Z in the workplace:
Keep things moving, and fast
Want their attention? Use visuals, not text
Keep your internal communications game strong
Offer workplace flexibility
Read the complete descriptions here. The article is two years old now, and doesn’t take into account the effects of the pandemic. What still rings true? What would you add?
On Monday, May 10th, from 1-3 pm ET OAAARS, and The Summer Camp Society will be hosting a panel of BIPOC camp leaders and youth workers who will have a conversation on what camp would look like if we centered BIPOC folks and the DEI work necessary to do so. This would be a great staff training tool to use for your upcoming orientations and staff training! If you want to learn more, please register here and we really hope to see you all there!
Beth Allison from GoCampPro shared this litany of encouragement and "The Camp Song" video from Peter Katz with a montage of #thankstocamp moments from Canadian camps. If you need a pick-me-up and reminder of why you do this work, this litany and video may help to reignite you. We have permission to adapt the litany and use it at our own camps. View the litany & video
Join Virginia Theological Seminary this Thursday.
As we look forward with hope as vaccinations are distributed and something resembling normal appears on the horizon, how can congregations carry what they have learned from this time, from new technologies to new skills, and ways of connecting with local and distributed communities the future?
I have a feeling that many of us running summer camps have seen and experienced elements of this fraying — and practiced braiding — in the last month.
Continue reading.
What have you learned? Leave a comment here.