Last Friday, I was not having a good day. In fact, I had a really rough day at school. My students were disappointing, my training was not beneficial, I was overwhelmed with grading and stress, I wasn’t feeling good – basically the perfect storm. To vent, I put a post up on Instagram (give it a follow up in the main bar!) and I had so many friends and family members reach out to support me. That was when I learned about the acronym PIESS. My mother-in-law learned it from a training, and it’s such good advice, I wanted to share the secret to having a good day or even turning a rough day into a better one!
PIESS:
P: Physical movement
One of the first things you need is physical movement. There is no minimum amount, but taking the time in your day to stretch and move. You could dance to some of your favorite songs, do a short yoga routine, go the gym, walk the dogs in your neighborhood, even just stretch for 5 minutes at your desk — there’s so many options to meet this!
I: Intellectual stimulation
The next needed component for a good day is intellectual stimulation – something to work your brain! Reading a book, even just a few pages, would meet this need! Some other ideas because sometimes reading is hard – listening to a podcast, read an article online, play an educational game, work on a puzzle, anything else that makes you think!
If you need some book suggestions, check out my historical reads post here or even my mythology books post!
E: Emotional stimulation
Feel your emotions! Sometimes, this one is hard. We don’t want to cry or be angry, feel that negative emotion, but we have to let it out at some point! But it’s important to recognize that there are healthy ways to do so! Journaling your feelings, watching a video that makes you cry (my go-to is a Disney movie!), yelling into a pillow, ranting in the car or someone you trust. I feel that this one is the hardest as sometimes, we just don’t want to deal with the negative emotion!
Even just taking the time to validate your emotions that you have and acknowledge them is a great way to start. I love this post from a counseling center that gives 6 ways to practice validating your emotions.
S: Social stimulation
Social stimulation is one that seems like it would be so easy, especially as a teacher, interacting with people all day. However, sometimes you have to interact with a grown-up (shocking, I know). When I’m having a rough day, I love to call or text a friend, just to catch up – even if it’s only for 5 minutes! That little bit of interaction with someone my age or going through the same phase of life with me is so helpful and makes me feel so much better!
S: Sense of spirituality
The final part needed is a sense of spirituality. You may be saying, “Uhm, I’m not religious, thanks though.” But being spiritual is different than being religious. Ways to meet that sense of spirituality is meditate, reflect on your life and if you feel you’re meeting your purpose, walking in nature, listening to music, or volunteering. Something that makes you feel good and relates to having you feel like you have an impact on the world.
An example of a good day:
P: Go the the gym after work, workout for 30 minutes
I: Complete a puzzle that you’ve been working on forever!
E: Watch a Disney movie – maybe I cry, maybe I don’t. There’s a 50/50 chance!
S: Call a friend and talk for 30 minutes!
S: Volunteer for an hour!
As I’ve become a mom, I recognize that it can be hard to do all of these things in one day. Especially when you are taking care of other humans who have big feelings and need to be fed and need to be entertained and and and… However, remember that being a good and healthy parent is also leading by example and modeling self care. It’s hard, but you’re a better parent when you can refill your cup before pouring into another person’s.
An example of a good day as a parent:
P: Scooter walk/Stroller walk in the neighborhood or at the local park
I: Listening to a short podcast – about a topic you’re interested in or about parenting.
E: Yell into a pillow. Meditate while you brush your teeth. Acknowledge your emotions and validate them.
S: Text your mom friend or work friend – even just to say how much you appreciate them!
S: I feel like parenting kids in a positive way, with kindness and care, generates a sense of spirituality in a way.
What do you need to have a good day? Have you heard of PIESS before? Let me know!