Stress Hormone Chronicles: Understanding Cortisol's Grip on Teachers
We want to encourage you toward self-care, but really it needs to be self-care that works for you, not self-care that's driven by guilt or self-depreciation.
Imagine being constantly on high alert, like a soldier in the trenches, even when there's no immediate danger. That's what cortisol, the body's stress hormone, does to us. In this episode of 'Arkansas A.W.A.R.E.', Betsy Kindall, Nicole Fairchild, and Stacy Moore break down how this sneaky hormone affects teachers' health and well-being. Cortisol is meant to help us handle emergencies, but when it sticks around too long, it can wreak havoc on our bodies and minds.
Think weight gain, fatigue, anxiety, and even heart problems. For teachers, who are often juggling a million things at once, this can be especially tough. Betsy, Nicole, and Stacy dive into practical ways to keep cortisol in check. They chat about self-care practices like deep breathing, exercise, and leaning on social support. They also stress the importance of therapeutic relationships and self-compassion. By taking care of themselves first, teachers can be better equipped to support their students and communities.
Tune in for an episode packed with real talk and actionable advice that could make a big difference in your daily life.