SPS Monthly Wellness Tips: Three Goals for 2023-2024

• Movement: It is not too late to sign up for the Free SPS Staff Tai Chi classes meeting this 9 weeks! This session meets on Thursdays at 4:30 at the Payne County Health Department in their Education Room. The class consists of 30 minutes of tai chi, flexibility, and strength training. You can still register here! 

• 

  Connections: (AND movement AND relaxation…) There are two free options for yoga going on right now! Each option meets weekly. 

  • Yoga in the Plaza: Mondays at the McKnight Center Outdoor Plaza at 5:30 

  • Yoga in the Garden: Wednesdays at The Botanic Garden at OSU at 5:45 

Work-Life Balance: As much as possible, try to establish clear boundaries between work time and personal time. Consider setting specific hours and sticking to them when you can. As we have said a lot this year… this isn’t always possible, but when you can, do it! Equally important is being intentional about dedicating time for relaxation, hobbies, and spending time with friends/family. One more idea: delegate tasks when you can!! This could involve distributing responsibilities, utilizing available resources, or seeking support from your administrators. By sharing the workload, school staff can free up time for personal activities and maintain a healthier work-life balance.

Monthly Wellness Challenge

By participating in the monthly challenges, SPS Staff have the opportunity to win various “Wellness Kits.” Each kit focuses on different dimensions of wellness. Each month you have the opportunity to win one of the following prizes: 

• Self-Care Kit (coffee/tea gift cards, wellness books and activities, massage)

• Nature Kit (terrarium, plants, gardening tools, etc.)

• Fitness Kit (gym towels, weights, gym bag, insulated water bottle, massage balls)  

• Movement Kit (Fitbit, weights, water bottle, etc.)

• Hiking Kit (Lake McMurtry annual pass, hiking equipment, hammock, and more)

In addition to these Wellness Kits, there are also smaller prizes such as weights, hammocks, insulated water bottles and much more! 

This is open to ALL SPS staff. The challenge question this month focuses on gratitude. To participate in this month's challenge, simply fill out this form. 

Tips for Reducing Unhealthy Stress

Knowing how to manage stress can improve both your physical and mental well-being. It’s critical to recognize what stress and anxiety look like, take steps to build resilience, and know where to go for help. Some types of stress are positive, but chronic stress can lead to problems. Here are a few tips:

• Watch what you eat: Did you know that some foods can help combat the effects of stress? Certain foods such as fatty fish, fermented foods, green leafy vegetables, and many spices are examples. Consider adding these foods to your diet, and read more about this here. 

• Watch what you think: Consider limiting the amount of time you spend on news, social media, etc. Also, try prayer,  mindfulness and/or meditation, all which can help. 

• Watch what you allow: Basically… it is okay to say no. It is helpful to set boundaries. Prioritizing managing your time more effectively is crucial when it comes to stress. 

• Watch how you breathe: Breath is our primary connection to life. When you’re calm, you breathe deeply and slowly. When you’re stressed, you tend to breathe fast and shallow. Watch this helpful video from Dr. Andrew Weil on a few very helpful breathing techniques. 

• Watch your movement: Regular movement and exercise is important for all aspects of your health. Set a step goal, gym goal, stand more, etc. 

• Watch who is around you: When you are feeling stressed, it is important to have a positive support system. However, if you find it hard to open up to the people in your life about your bad stress, it might be more beneficial to seek the help of a professional mental health counselor. Try the EAP, look at these mental health resources on our website, or check out this list. 

FREE Healthy Classroom Decor from TSET

Help your students discover the joy of being active with their favorite animals, learn the importance of hydration, master the art of mealtime and more! Choose your favorite poster — or collect them all — before the semester’s first bell rings! Download copies here.

April: National Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time for our community to come together to celebrate the small actions each of us can take that make a big impact on the well-being of our children. Thousands of cases of child abuse and neglect are reported each year. But there’s good news! Child Abuse is 100% preventable! Preventing child abuse and building strong, safe, and healthy children and families will benefit the entire community — setting up future generations to succeed! 

Currently, the Child Abuse Prevention Coloring Challenge is going on. Here is a link to the coloring page. It is called “My Happiest Day” and asks children to create a drawing of one of their favorite times. 

Finally, in Stillwater, for the second year in a row, there will be an event called the Kaleidoscope Festival & Block Party. The goal of this event is to raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month. There will be an abundance of activities, food, and music to enjoy, so don't miss out on the Best Annual Festival in Stillwater! The first 200 families will get a free swag bag! 

Upcoming Events

• April 2: VOTE!! &Taste of Stillwater 

  • Highlighting food showcased & donated by Stillwater area restaurants, Taste of Stillwater gives ticket holders a chance to sample and discover the best of Stillwater cuisine. The family-oriented event features an all-you-can-eat buffet that is sure to please everyone. More than 30 restaurants traditionally participate in the event and over 1,000 people usually attend! Proceeds help fund SPEF programs.

• April 3, 10, 17 & 24: Yoga in the Garden At The Botanic Garden at OSU

  • Bring your mat or towel and join Yoga on Wednesdays for Yoga in the Garden! You will learn to breathe deeply and relax while surrounded by the gentle sounds of the garden. Thank you to the OSU Department of Wellness for leading this class!

• April 8, 15, 22 & 29 at 5:30 pm: Yoga in the Plaza at the McKnight Center 

  • Certified Yoga Instructor Laurielle Prema will lead this Vinyasa-Style yoga class.  This event is free and open to the public. Go enjoy free yoga in the peaceful MCPA Outdoor Plaza and reset your mind!

• April 13: Lake McMurtry Run 

  • Oklahoma’s oldest train run! A variety of distances to choose from with offerings of 100 k, 50k, 25 k, 12k, and 5 k on a single track winding through the pines along the shores of Lake McMurtry. Read more and register here. 

• April 20: Remember the 10 Run

  • Learn more about this wonderful opportunity to walk or run and register here. 

• April 28: Kaleidoscope Festival and Block Party

  • Kaleidoscope is a festival & block party to raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month and was named Best Annual Festival by the Stillwater News Press! Gather with the community while raising awareness. There will be an abundance of activities, food, and music to enjoy, so don't miss out on the Best Annual Festival in Stillwater! The first 200 families will get a free swag bag!