Cabarrus County Schools



Staff Self-Care CommunicationAs staff members who provide care for our students it is important to remain aware of our own need to take care of ourselves. There are a variety of metaphors we might draw from:When you take a flight, you are told to put your mask on first in the event of the loss of cabin pressureThere is an expression you can’t pour from an empty cupYou can’t give what you don’t have Our content this week with students focused on Identifying Emotions and Needs. This is important to young people because their emotions tell them something about the experience they are having.?The more they can understand what their emotions are, the more they can figure out what they might need from themselves or other people.Those same concepts apply to us in our work with young people and their families.This week’s self-care lesson will focus on: MindfulnessThe first week back for students, especially while working remotely, can be busy, overwhelming, and make you feel scatterbrained! This week I wanted to include a breathing exercise that can help you practice mindfulness (See page 2). This can be considered a brief relaxation technique that can be incorporated during your workday At the end, I have attached the 10 Apps for Practicing Mindfulness worksheet from the CCS self-care website, if you are interested in incorporating more mindfulness activities at home!Thank you for participating.Remember, if a student or family you are working with needs support you can contact:Social Worker- Liz Baker Elizabeth.baker@cabarrus.k12.nc.usCounselor- Jenny Byrd Jennifer.byrd2@cabarrus.k12.nc.us Psychologist- Melissa Mascari Melissa.mascari@cabarrus.k12.nc.us Nurse- Karen Parker Karen.parker@cabarrus.k12.nc.us If you are feeling a strong need for emotional support please remember we have an employee assistance provider, with complete information accessible on the Human Resources Benefits page:Cabarrus.k12.nc.us/Page/3850 If you are concerned about your life or safety, you can contact DayMark’s Mobile Crisis Unit at 1.866.275.9552 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255.10 Apps for Practicing Mindfulness484314520033200Stop, Breathe and ThinkThe app features 34 free sessions. Most of the meditations are short, up to 15 minutes, and feature simple introductory practices like?Being Kind to Your Body,?Forgiving Yourself, and?Joy.?You can also simply set a timer and sit in silence, or learn different breathing techniques, or listen to relaxing forest sounds.Calm48456857248500Calm’s free offerings include basic mindfulness practices. These free meditations, about 25 in total, come in different lengths, from a quick 3-minute meditation to a half-hour sit. You can start off with 7 Days of Calm, a week-long beginners’ series that includes practices for cultivating awareness, returning to the breath when the mind wanders, and training for how to bounce back when the brain switches into “autopilot mode.” Other free sessions include 7 Days of Sleep and Calming Anxiety. Plus, like many other apps, you can set a timer for silent meditation or meditate to intermittent bells.484622912636500HeadspaceHeadspace provides the user with spoken-word exercises that are designed to be used for around 10 minutes a day, beginning with a 10-session pack that comes free with the initial download. It includes short meditations for people who are on the go and even SOS meditations that are useful during times of crisis. 4845685835640010% HappierThis mindfulness app provides training for people who are skeptical of meditation, and is presented by Dan Harris, a meditation advocate. The content is firmly based on neuroscience and omits the spiritual components that are present in many other apps. If you are new to meditation or have never really understood the point of it, this app might be a good fit for you.483933519878300AuraThis mindfulness app provides the user with daily micro-meditations that last only three minutes apiece. Aura helps users relieve stress and anxiety with a technologically advanced, simple, and effective meditation platform. It was created by some of the best and most sought-after meditation teachers and therapists, and personalized by AI. Aura allows users the option to keep a gratitude journal, track moods throughout the day, and listen to the sounds of nature.484568515393800BreetheBreethe is a free app that follows users throughout the day, from the time they wake up to the time they go to sleep. It provides them with supportive tools and guidance to help them stay on track with their meditation practices throughout the day. It offers five-minute meditations, along with tips for overcoming pressure, feeling love, and living with intention and inner peace. It is fully customizable, making it a user-friendly app to help support your practice.48437808709400Insight Timer The app features over 4,000 guided meditations from over 1,000 teachers, on topics such as self-compassion, nature, and stress, in addition to talks and podcasts. If you prefer a quieter meditation, you can always set a timer and meditate to intermittent bells or a calming ambient noise.484568514525700Simple HabitSimple Habit is the best meditation app for busy people. Breathe easy and relax with guided meditation chosen for your life and situation. Meditate for just 5 minutes a day to reduce stress, improve focus, sleep better, relax faster, breathe easier, and more. Work through daily struggles with guided meditation sessions for any situation. The meditation sessions from Simple Habit are guided by some of the world’s best teachers. Whether you need to reduce anxiety or get through a tough day at work, meditation can help.48437809710400Smiling MindSmiling Mind's programs are divided by age, starting at 7-11 years. Using the proven benefits of mindfulness meditation, this free app incorporates a fun and easy program for both children and adults. It is used by over two million people worldwide, with thousands of those being teachers who use the app during school programs to teach their students. They have also provided teachers with additional intensive professional development so they can increase their skills and incorporate mindfulness into their classrooms more often. ................
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