Learn.Empathize.Grow.Overcome.Laugh.Inspire.Fulfillment.Encourage.

Welcome to the MIU IV Social Work team's education and wellness series! Throughout the school year, we will be developing a series of seasonal Smores in an effort to support our staff through education regarding trauma, resilience, and maintaining wellness. A variety of topics will be covered throughout our series which will continue our LEFOLIFE campaign that was presented at the MIU IV best practice day. Take the time to read through the Smore, check out the resources, and utilize some of the tools we will be providing. Need more? Get ahold of us - we'd be happy to help!

For many, the holiday season is often filled with loving memories of family and friends. It’s a time to reconnect with loved ones and share in family traditions; a time that most people look forward to. For others the holidays can be difficult. Here are some tips for navitgating the holiday season through a trauma informed lens.

• Don't assume. (Everyone loves a party, right?)

• Invite them to talk.

• Practice empathy.

• Start small — and let them opt out.

• Form new traditions together.

• Avoid sensory overload.

• Stick to routine when possible.

Dr. Tina Boogren's book, "Take Time for You" is a great self-care resource for educators. She bases her self-care education and related planning on Maslow's hierarchy of needs. She uses a ladder (as opposed to the triangle) in visualizing the hierarchy.

Within the book, she includes assessments/surveys, resources, and action plans that are easy to use and give you step by step guidance on how to address your overall wellness.

The link above takes you to the Solution Tree website. If you have an account (it's free!), you can download the reproducibles from the book. We have included some below.

Start with the self-care survey. This table will help you to understand the areas within the hierarchy in which are you thriving and areas where you can grow. (Click the button below to be taken to a blank copy of the self-care survey. If you cannot access it, create a free account with Solution Tree.)

Once you have completed the survey, reflect.

- How did it feel to take this survey?

- Were you surprised by the results? In what way?

- In what areas are you thriving the most?

- In what areas are you the most challenged?

- What areas do you want to focus on the most? Why?

Dr. Boogren's model then lays out corresponding questions to ask yourself on each rung of the hierarchy.

These questions assist in identifying where you may have needs, and ultimately, they become your guide to self-care. You may have to learn to check in with yourself on a regular basis to recognize when you're feeling off (angry, irritated, frustrated, uncomfortable, anxious). From there, move through these questions, starting at the bottom and move your way up.

Here is an example. You notice you're feeling irritable as you just snapped on someone close to you for seemingly "no reason". Once you've identified that something is "off", you would move into this model of self-care.

Start at the bottom of the ladder and ask yourself "Are my basic needs met?" This refers to food, water, sleep and shelter. If you answer no, stop and address this need. Maybe you determine that you're in fact hungry - get a snack or maybe it's time for your lunch break. Or maybe you didn't get enough sleep and that's the cause of your irritability. Stop and make a plan on how to get more sleep ("Tonight I will not doom scroll on my phone, and instead, I will go to bed by 9:30pm.") Take the time to meet your needs and engage in a coping skill (such as a breathing exercise or a grounding method).

Once you are able to answer "yes" entirely to that rung, move up to the next one.

Perhaps you get to the third rung "Do I feel like I belong?"... maybe you realize that you're feeling left out because a group of friends met for coffee this weekend and they didn't invite you. Perhaps your irritability is based in the feeling of not belonging. Stop and make a plan for how you can meet this need. Maybe it means reaching out to someone important to you and asking them if they want to get coffee with you.

Consider how much better you will feel once you stop and take the time to address your needs. When all of your rungs are solid, you're the best version of you. Educators who are thriving feel good enough to help others (students, colleagues, etc.) move up their own ladders! When you feel good, you have the drive and motivation to engage your students - which affects student achievement and learning! More than one person's needs are being met in a wave of engagement, which is what level six is ultimately about!

Visit go.solutiontree.com/instruction for reproducibles with that include an action plan for checking in with yourself as well as other materials that help with planning and evaluating your progress.

*If you aren't super familiar with the hierarchy, we encourage you to do a quick dive into it via Google so that you can better understand each level/rung.*

Engaging your senses (a mindfulness practice) is one way to help reduce stress.

• Ask your children/teens about one thing they would like to do this holiday season.
• Brainstorm together creative ways to make this activity happen.
• Finding those times to come together as a family can bring needed joy and laughter to this holiday season.
• Making homemade decorations.
• Cooking a favorite dish (if you know, share the story about how this dish became a holiday favorite in your family)
• Making homemade cards to send to special family, friends, and members of the community
• Singing holiday songs

If you are interested in more information or resources, please contact the MIU IV School Social Work team at:

Bryda Drumm, LSW, H&SV

Jennifer Guthrie, LCSW

Sara Joseph, MSW, LSW

Email: socialwork@miu4.org