This article is especially for directors. It's time to take care of yourself and to plan some time just for you. The field of ECE is such a giving profession that it is important to take the time to fill your cup so that you can continue to give to yourself, your staff, family, friends, children and the parents at the center.  How exactly do you do this when you are working so many hours and everyone makes demands on you? I’ll tell you. You have to make the time. You have to actually schedule time for yourself. I know, I know, I know all the excuses. I don’t have anytime available for me, I ‘m already getting up early and staying up late etc.

I’m here to tell you that life will go on and the center will run your family will survive even if you take time for yourself.  Actually, everyone, including your self will do much better when you make time to take care of yourself. First of all, you are modeling to your staff a healthy, balanced life style. This results in a happier directors, staff and families and children. You will have so much more to contribute to all aspects of your life when you fill up your own cup. If you don’t take care of yourself who will? When you make the time to exercise, meditate, sit quietly, or whatever brings you peace you come back to your work and family renewed. You are actually more productive after having some down time. Now maybe you can’t find a whole hour or half hour right now so start with a few minutes and shut the door.

Stress is often something we bring on ourselves. We say yes when we mean no we do more and more without taking time for ourselves. This creates stress for us and the end result is that we aren’t happy or we get physical symptoms or psychological symptoms. Our health and survival is dependent on the ability to maintain a balance of the physical and mental processes. This state of equilibrium is called homeostasis. The body has a general adaptation system by which it tries to balance and restore itself (homeostasis). However, too much change in our lives can overtax our adaptive system causing illness or disease. If fact science now confirms that excessive stress causes premature aging. At minimum it reduces the productivity and effectiveness of you and your staff. The relationship between stress and illness is a complex one and will be addressed in next month’s article.

Everyone has stress in their life but too much can create problems. A healthy goal should be to limit the harmful effects of stress while maintaining life's quality and vitality. For the next month, monitor your stress and watch what is going on in the center. There is a good chance that if you are stressed the staff is stressed too.  What are some stress busters you can do for yourself and for the staff? “Laughter is a great thing -- that's why we've all heard the saying, "Laughter is the best medicine." There is strong evidence that laughter can actually improve health and help fight disease.” So, lighten up and enjoy the work you are doing and as we are always saying in our field that children learn through play, so do adults. Take time to play and have fun.