January 12, 2026 in Blog by Dee
The Importance of Self-Care
by: Perimeter Healthcare
Adulthood is overrated. A great many people utter this statement out of frustration, and it’s not surprising. Being an adult sometimes comes with overwhelming responsibilities. There are targets to meet at work, and there is a lot of work to do at home. When you factor in social activities and other engagements, you will relish the opportunity to trade places with that baby who has nothing to worry about. But we all know that’s next to impossible. The only way to be at peace with yourself is by embracing the numerous responsibilities and taking some time to focus on what is essential. This includes self-care.
What is Self-Care?
Self-care is a general term that describes everything you do deliberately for your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. As simple as it sounds, many of us pay little attention to self-care. This is why ‘deliberately’ is one of the most important words in the definition. You need to be conscious of your well-being before you can achieve true self-care. It starts from the simple acts like not checking emails at night when you know it affects your sleep and extends to more important decisions like going for a vacation or booking a massage when you feel you need one.
Why is it important?
Self-care encourages you to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself so that you can transmit the good feelings to others. You cannot give to others what you don’t have yourself. While some may misconstrue self-care as selfish, it’s far from that. When you pay adequate attention to your well-being, you’re not considering your needs alone. You’re reinvigorating yourself so that you can be the best version of yourself for the people around you. Everyone around you also benefits from the renewed energy and joy you exhibit.
Self-Care Tips to Improve Your Well-Being
1. Pay attention to your physical health
Physical health is a core part of self-care. The body and the mind have a unique connection, and it’s difficult to be in high spirits when you are not feeling good about your body. Research has shown that regular exercise increases the level of serotonin in our body significantly improving mood and energy. When exercising for self-care, you should choose an activity you love. It could be a regular run, brisk walking, swimming, or just about any other thing that makes you feel alive. You derive extra fulfillment from doing what you love, and it is the love that encourages persistence even when it seems you do not have time for it.
2. Get enough sleep
Too many people are sleep deprived, and it takes a toll on our physical and mental health. We seem to have made the maxim ‘hard work pays’ too seriously. We now spend so much time working and very little time sleeping. Sleep scientists recommend that adults need at least 6-8 hours of sleep every night. Your body needs time to rest and renew. Daytime naps are also excellent for refreshing our body and improving concentration levels.
3. Be a healthy eater
Your diet is a major part of self-care, and it’s an aspect you should be wary about. When you ask people about foods that make them feel good, you get answers like a juicy steak, mounds of lasagna, or extremely delicious cupcakes. However, consistently indulging in these delicacies is NOT self-care. Healthy, nutritious foods are one of nature’s best gifts to us. Make a habit out of consuming good foods that build your body.
4.) Identify the things that matter to you
This may seem easy, but it can be challenging to practice. You need to ask yourself the tough questions to identify the things that matter to you the most.
When the chips are down who do you want to be with?
How do you want to be remembered when you’re gone?
How do you want to make a difference in the world?
Is the pursuit of material wealth worth the strained relationships that are left on the path?
Your answers to these questions should determine your approach to living. Spend more time with those you would love to be with and deliberately live your life the way you want to be remembered. Keeping an eye on your priorities will help you make decisions about how you spend your time.
5. Change your mindset / Gratitude
Too often, we focus on the negatives while showing little appreciation for the beauty that’s all around us. It’s what happens when you have a bad breakup, and all you can remember is how badly the person hurt you. We tend to forget all the amazing things that the relationship brought us. Cherish the good memories and hold them dear even if the unpleasant ones attempt to consume you. Show gratitude and appreciation for the little gifts in life. Take take time to be still and meditate more. If you can adopt a gratitude mindset, you are on your way to achieving the highest level of self-care.
6. Learn to say No
Too many times, you say yes to every request in order to not hurt the feelings of another party. When you do this at the expense of your own peace or health, you are going against the principles of self-care. It’s good to realize you’re only human and you can’t possibly make everyone happy. Saying yes to everything predisposes you to burnouts, and it’s bad for your physical and emotional health.
Self-Care is personal, and no general principle will always work. What motivates you and inspires you is different than the person next door. Look for the things that make you feel alive. Make dates with yourself and when you commit to working out or doing something for yourself, keep the commitment you make to yourself. . We don’t back out on our friends, don’t back out on yourself. By being healthy about self-care, you will feel be better equipped to help others. Go live your best life.
January 12, 2026 in Blog by Dee
Benefits of Trauma-Informed Teaching
By: Southeast Missouri State University
Students arrive at school each day with a variety of challenges; unfortunately, one challenge many students face is having experienced trauma.
According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than two-thirds of children will have experienced at least one traumatic event by the time they reach age 16.
Trauma associated with a variety of issues can significantly affect a student’s ability to learn. But educators who are trained in trauma-informed teaching can implement strategies to address the impediments to learning that trauma introduces. By creating a safe learning environment for students and following other trauma-informed teaching practices, educators can support students who are facing the effects of trauma and help improve their educational outcomes.
What Is Trauma-Informed Teaching?
Students can experience trauma related to any of a host of factors such as abuse, neglect, community violence, domestic violence, stress or a natural disaster. These experiences can lead to students’ being fearful, withdrawn or angry, which can make it more difficult for them to learn. Using trauma-informed teaching practices enables teachers to help students address these challenges and get the most out of their education.
Think of trauma-informed teaching as a set of practices designed to create a safe and supportive environment for students who are facing or have faced trauma. These practices take into account the ways in which trauma can affect students, and they seek to help students feel more empowered. Trauma-informed teaching practices are meant to improve students’ ability to feel secure and help them form trusting relationships with teachers.
Characteristics of Trauma-Informed Teaching
Employing trauma-informed practices when teaching students involves:
- Cultivating strong relationships with students. Teachers create relationships with students that are based on trust.
- Instilling feelings of safety. Teachers work to ensure that students feel they are in a safe environment throughout the entire school day, in any location on campus.
- Demonstrating compassion. Teachers refrain from judging students’ behavior and, instead, show students compassion.
- Enabling students to express their feelings. Teachers help students communicate by actively listening to them and encouraging them to communicate both orally and in writing.
- Providing students with positive reinforcement. Teachers take advantage of opportunities to give students honest feedback regarding their successes and accomplishments.
- Recognizing triggers and acknowledging students’ need for additional help. Teachers know which activities or other educational approaches might trigger traumatic responses in students. Additionally, teachers remain alert to signs that students may need additional support services or counseling.
Trauma-Informed Teaching Benefits in the Classroom
Using trauma-informed teaching practices can result in a wide range of benefits. Some examples of these benefits are highlighted below.
Improved Student Resilience
Trauma-informed teaching can boost students’ resilience, which can lessen the effects of trauma and make it easier for students to learn. Teaching students using trauma-informed approaches enables students to build emotional intelligence and feelings of belonging, which can also facilitate learning.
Enhanced Student Focus
By strengthening students’ ability to focus, trauma-informed teaching can improve students’ school attendance and reduce their disciplinary issues. Using trauma-informed teaching methods can also result in fewer incidents in which students become physically aggressive.
Better Academic Outcomes
Because trauma-informed practices can create an environment in which students improve their ability to learn, the ultimate result of trauma-informed teaching is improvement in students’ overall academic outcomes.
Improved Campus Culture for All Students and Teachers
Creating an atmosphere of compassion through trauma-informed teaching can change the entire culture of a school for the better, which can benefit all of the school’s students and teachers.
Greater Teacher Confidence
Teachers who employ trauma-informed teaching practices have more strategies at their disposal and can opt for more compassionate approaches to addressing students’ learning challenges. This can empower teachers and give them a greater sense of confidence in their work.
Trauma-Informed Teaching Helps Students Achieve Academic Success
When students have teachers who employ trauma-informed teaching practices, they can learn in environments that improve their odds for academic success. Trauma-informed teaching approaches enable educators to offer instruction in ways that acknowledge the challenges students face and that encourage students to engage in the learning process.
January 12, 2026 in Blog by Dee
How Does Tutoring Help Students?
By: Oxford Learning
There are many reasons parents choose tutoring for their children. Some parents feel unable to help their children with schoolwork. Others may find their children are more receptive to working through school struggles with another person. Tutoring can help strengthen subject comprehension, boost confidence, and build important learning skills.
Tutoring gives students individualized attention that they don’t get in a crowded classroom. This helps children who struggle to keep up, as well as those who aren’t challenged enough. It also keeps students on track during breaks from school, such as during March Break or during the summer.
What are the Benefits of Tutoring?
Tutoring programs can help students develop study and learning skills that will set them up for success for their entire lives. There are many advantages of tutoring services:
- Individual and unique learning experience: Your child will receive an individualized learning experience that they can’t always get in a classroom setting. Tutors can customize the lessons and activities just for your child.
- One-on-one attention: Tutors get to know your child’s individual learning style and can adapt teaching methods accordingly. They act as your child’s own private teacher.
- Improves academic performance: Tutoring will prepare your child for tests and exams while also working on specific problem areas. Your child’s grades and understanding of the subject will significantly improve when working with a tutor.
- Improves attitude towards learning and school: Learning will become fun for your child. With constant encouragement and praise, your child will no longer feel overwhelmed or frustrated with school.
- Encourages self-paced and self-directed learning: With tutoring, your child will learn to take the initiative with their schoolwork. Your child will also learn how to control their learning pace.
- Improves self-esteem and confidence: Your child’s self-esteem and confidence will increase through tutoring by providing them with the resources and skills they need to excel in school.
- Improves work and study habits: Through tutoring, your child will learn work and study habits they will use for life. These skills will help prepare your child to successfully achieve their goals both inside and outside of school.
- Positive workspace: Tutoring provides an environment free of distractions, with fewer students and disruptions around, so your child is better able to focus on learning.
- Encourages independence and responsibility: Your child will gain the ability to do school work on their own without your help. Your child will realize their own personal growth and will learn to take responsibility for their studies.
- Helps overcome learning obstacles: Your child’s tutor will specifically target whichever aspect of learning they are having trouble with, whether it’s writing, math, language, or reading.
- Encourages the freedom to ask questions: At school, your child may not always feel comfortable asking questions in front of their peers. Tutoring will help teach your child to be comfortable asking questions, big or small, without feeling self-conscious.
- Improves social and behavioural skills: Tutoring services will help your child become a better communicator, form better relationships with peers, and make more positive social and behavioural adjustments.
- Increases ability to manage one’s learning: Your child will become more competent in his or her learning and more successful in managing his or her school work.
- Challenges those who need it: Tutoring helps bored or under-stimulated children reach their full potential.
- Prepares your child for college and university: Students heading off to college will learn how to create study plans, develop advanced study skills, and learn superior time management skills. There are numerous benefits of tutoring in college and university, including reinforcement of existing knowledge and gaining a better understanding of a field of study.
January 12, 2026 in Blog by Dee
Own Your Morning, Transform Your Day
By: Centerstone
A strong morning routine is more than just a set of tasks to check off before starting the day. It’s a powerful tool for setting the tone for the hours ahead. The way we begin our mornings has a profound impact on our productivity and mindset. Whether it’s taking a few moments for mindfulness or organizing our to-do list, a thoughtful morning routine can help you have a more focused and positive day.
Lynda Killoran, a Licensed Therapist at Centerstone, says that there are seven key elements of a solid morning routine that can help set you up for success throughout your day.
- Wake up at the same time every day
- This helps regulate your body’s natural alarm clock, keeping you on a regular schedule.
- Don’t hit the snooze button
- Apply the 3-second rule when it comes to getting out of bed. If you get out of bed before counting to three, you are less likely to talk yourself into staying in bed longer.
- Make your bed
- “Making your bed puts your bed to rest, so to speak, making it easier for you to put that part of the day behind you,” Killoran adds.
- Fuel your body
- You don’t necessarily have to eat immediately after you wake up, but it’s always good to fuel your body at some point in the morning.
- Do activities that tend to get interrupted during the day
- For example, take advantage of the quiet morning hours to journal, meditate, or enjoy your coffee outside.
- Movement
- Whether you go for a bike ride, go to the gym, or do some light stretching at home, movement helps get your energy flowing and can be a beneficial way to start the day.
- Set an agenda for the day
- Setting intentions and goals for the day can help keep you on track to successfully complete them.
If you’re looking to develop or enhance your morning routine, remember it’s okay to start small. “Start with a 5% change, just one thing you can add to your existing routine or begin doing in the mornings that would make a small difference in your day,” Killoran says. You might start by making your bed or waking up just five minutes earlier. From there, continue building on your routine until it feels both satisfying and sustainable. Check in with yourself regularly to ensure it’s still working for you and make adjustments as needed.
A consistent morning routine can set us up for success in several important ways. It increases productivity by adding structure and intention to the start of the day. Having control over our mornings creates a sense of stability, which can be especially valuable when the rest of the day may be unpredictable. This sense of control also boosts our energy and confidence, helping us begin the day on a positive note.
Because our mornings shape the rest of our day, it’s also important to be mindful of what we should avoid. For instance, consider your news intake. While staying informed is important, consuming negative headlines first thing may feel overwhelming. Likewise, try not to begin your day with emotionally heavy tasks or difficult conversations, especially if they’re likely to be stressful. Save those for when you’re more mentally prepared.
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