DeStress Monday at School

For Teachers

The stress and strain of emotional burnout are all too real. And often, it feels the most overwhelming at the start of the week. You’re not alone. Use this simple, soothing snow globe practice to calm your mind and think more clearly.

1. Find a quiet spot. Imagine your worries are like snowflakes swirling around in a snow globe that’s been shaken hard.
2. Breathe slowly and deeply. Visualize your negative feelings falling, just like the snowflakes.
3. Continue deep, cleansing breaths as your mind begins to settle and the snowflakes rest on the ground.
4. Spend a mindful minute or two to imprint your positive, serene feelings. Reflect upon this during stressful moments.

According to noted therapist and author, Dr. John Gottman, anger is rarely about being angry, it’s more like an iceberg. What’s going on below the surface, concealed by the anger? It could be covering up harder to recognize raw feelings like sadness, embarrassment, or shame. Learn to recognize the true causes of feelings of anger with the help of The Gottman Institute’s Anger Iceberg:

For the Classroom

Sometimes we feel upset and unsettled. It’s simply part of being human! It’s a bit like a snow globe, where the snow flying around is like the thoughts flying all around your mind. And just like with a snow globe when you put it down, the snow settles down too. It can help to learn to settle your mind, so your thoughts can settle as well.

Here is a practice that helps you see how this works: