Thank God Its Friday: Self-care for Formators

Thank God Its Friday: Self-care for formators

(Even during those years when I was the CEO of Emmaus Center, I always considered it a priority to take care of the person of the formators. Through this Friday series, I hope to continue caring for them through simple tips in self-care.)

Stress management is largely a learnable skill. Most people can learn how to take the heat in their lives, especially in our work as formators.

The way I think of it, stress is a "false alarm".

What I mean is that it is the erroneous activation of the "danger alarm" system of the brain. I visualize it as a big red fire alarm inside the head. This is a system we are all born with and it is a good thing to have. However, the biological purpose of this system is to help prepare us for dealing with real, physical danger. When the danger alarm is turned on, it produces a physiological response called the "fight or flight" reaction, which helps us to fight the danger or flee it.

So what is important is not so much the alarm per se, but how do you respond to it.

Thank God Its Friday: Self-care for formators

Thank God Its Friday: Self-care for formators

(Even during those years when I was the CEO of Emmaus Center, I always considered it a priority to take care of the person of the formators. Through this Friday series, I hope to continue caring for them through simple tips in self-care.)

Stress Warning Signs and Symptoms

Cognitive Symptoms

Memory problems
Indecisiveness
Inability to concentrate
Trouble thinking clearly
Poor judgment
Seeing only the negative
Anxious or racing thoughts
Constant worrying
Loss of objectivity
Fearful anticipation

Emotional Symptoms

Moodiness
Agitation
Restlessness
Short temper
Irritability, impatience
Inability to relax
Feeling tense and “on edge”
Feeling overwhelmed
Sense of loneliness and isolation
Depression or general unhappiness

Physical Symptoms

Headaches or backaches
Muscle tension and stiffness
Diarrhea or constipation
Nausea, dizziness
Insomnia
Chest pain, rapid heartbeat
Weight gain or loss
Skin breakouts (hives, eczema)
Loss of sex drive
Frequent colds

Behavioral Symptoms

Eating more or less
Sleeping too much or too little
Isolating yourself from others
Procrastination, neglecting responsibilities
Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax
Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)
Teeth grinding or jaw clenching
Overdoing activities (e.g. exercising, shopping)
Overreacting to unexpected problems
Picking fights with others

Thank God Its Friday: Self-care for formators

Thank God Its Friday: Self-care for Formators

(Even during those years when I was the CEO of Emmaus Center, I always considered it a priority to take care of the person of the formators. Through this Friday series, I hope to continue caring for them through simple tips in self-care.)

The best way to manage stress is to learn to change anxiety to concern.

Concern means you are motivated to take care of real problems in your life, but your danger alarm system is not erroneously activated. Changing your feelings is largely a matter of learning to identify and change the upsetting thoughts that are the immediate and proximate cause of upset emotions.