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Get Through Dark Winter Days with Warm Thoughts
By Ted Lockery
Nov 08, 2001 -- Each year, as we slip into the darkness of winter and retreat to the isolation of our sheltered routines, we often develop a kind of tunnel vision that hyper-focuses on the stresses at work. To make matters worse, this seasonal isolation can translate into an unconscious and irrational belief that we are alone in our struggles and responsible for their very existence. The unfortunate result may include the exhaustion of one's emotional and psychic energies, (1) worrying about the work that needs to get done, and (2) feeling guilty about the work that is not getting done.This condition, which I refer to as "Seasonal Isolation Stress Disorder," or SISD ("Sizzdee"), afflicts teachers and secondary students particularly during the last weeks of Fall or Winter Quarters when grading deadlines and papers pile up. And when we arrive at and leave school in the dark. Many of us get whipped up into a silent frenzy, forgetting to differentiate between the things we can and cannot control in our lives--forgetting to notice the good in the world; making our lives even darker.
There are, however, ways that educators, students, and others at work can combat SISD. To focus on the positive, start off each meeting (including classroom meetings) with a round of "Celebrations and Compliments." Recognize the ways in which people are supporting each other and doing good work, and appreciate people for who they are and for what they bring to the workplace or classroom community. This is particularly helpful in the classroom in fostering a culture of support and respect.
At my school, Nathan Hale High School, teachers are organized into collegial support groups that facilitate professional development through peer observation, text-based discussions, and dialogue. We open our monthly meetings with what we call "Connections." Each member of the group has an opportunity to share whatever is on their mind, knowing that their colleagues will hear what they say and, if asked, make thoughtful comments or suggestions. This exercise, and the many other support group facilitations, helps break down the barriers of isolation, both seasonal and professional. I sincerely recommend it!
Another recommendation in fighting SISD is to get hold of Richard Carlson's book, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... and to share it with your students, family members, or colleagues. It is a collection of one hundred simple suggestions toward keeping "the little things from taking over your life." I like to share them with students at the opening or closing of a class meeting. I'll leave you with abbreviated versions of some of my favorites:
Remind Yourself that When You Die, Your 'In Basket' Won't Be Empty: ...If I remind myself (frequently) that the purpose of life isn't to get it all done but to enjoy each step along the way and live a life filled with love, it's far easier for me to control my obsession with completing my list of things to do.
Do something Nice for Someone Else--and Don't Tell Anyone About it: Rather than diluting the positive feelings by telling others about your own kindness, by keeping it to yourself you get to retain all the positive feelings.
Ask Yourself the Question, "Will This Matter a Year from Now?" Whether it be an argument with your spouse, child, or boss, a mistake, a lost opportunity...chances are, a year from now you aren't going to care. It will be one more irrelevant detail in your life.
Be Aware of the Snowball Effect of Your Thinking: You may indeed be a very busy person, but remember that filling your head with thoughts of how overwhelmed you are only exacerbates the problem by making you feel even more stressed than you already do.
Develop Your Compassion: Compassion develops your sense of gratitude by taking your attention off all the little things that most of us have learned to take too seriously.
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