LET IT OUT
How often do we have something that’s really getting under our skin… and we don’t want to let it out? We bottle it up. We pretend it doesn’t exist. We hold it in until it starts to eat away at our mood, our confidence, or worse. Research shows that venting (when it’s done productively) can actually lower blood pressure and improve emotional regulation. Even writing frustrations down and tossing them in the trash has been shown to help people feel lighter. Of course, “productive” is the key word here. No need to start a fight in the lunchroom. And while studies say that swearing can sometimes have a stress- reducing effect, so can silence. What matters is finding a release that works for you.
HIGH SCHOOL HACKS By high school, students have perfected shortcuts for survival. Principals can learn from those too: • HALLWAY HEADPHONES: Music releases dopamine, the brain’s feel-good chemical. Build your own playlist for mood boosts. • BATHROOM RITUALS: Makeup checks may seem silly, but rituals calm the nervous system. Find your adult version… and yes, a fresh cup of coffee counts. • SLEEP STRUGGLES: Students stay up too late and it shows. Principals? Same. Better sleep hygiene = better leadership fuel. • DRAMA OUTLET: Gossip is teen currency, but adults can get the same “release” from a TV show or podcast. High school shows us that rituals, relationships, and even guilty pleasures can be healthy parts of a leader’s toolkit.
THE TAKEAWAY So as we celebrate Principal and Assistant Principal Appreciation Month, take a cue from the very students you lead. Borrow their smiles, their reinventions, their rituals... and remember that wellness isn’t just for kids. It’s for the leaders who make schools thrive.
CPAA IS VOICE AND POWER REALIZED • 17
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs