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Helping Your Child Succeed And Have Fun While Distance Learning This Year

Jaclyn Baker
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Want your child to have a successful and fun school year while distance learning? Well, it’s easier than you may think. Keep reading to learn more. 

Set Up A Distraction-Free Workspace

If your child’s study room turned into yet another playroom, there is no need to worry. Transforming it back into a study room is an easy fix.

Having a designated school zone can help your child concentrate, be creative, and have fun!

Keep in mind; they don’t need an entire home office space to themselves to be successful. You can set up a desk for them in the hallway, guest room, or bonus room. When they take a break, encourage them to step away from the desk and go into another room.

This will help their brain better understand that their desk is designed for homework and other areas of the home are designed for play.

Encourage Conversation 

Sometimes kids and teens can have a hard time opening up and coming to terms with their emotions. It’s like when you ask your child how their day at school was, and they reply with “fine.”

A great way to work around this is by asking them open-ended questions.

Here are a few examples.

1) How are you feeling about distant learning this year?

2) What are you most looking forward to experiencing this year?

3) How prepared do you feel for this year?

Say Goodbye to Multitasking 

No matter how simple or complex the task at hand may be, multitasking is not the answer.

When we multitask, we are much more likely to make careless mistakes along the way, which can significantly slow us down in the long run. 

Having multiple tabs open at once, texting, or listening to a podcast may feel like a good idea at the moment, but it can actually be very draining and stressful.

Be Flexible

The truth is, even the most thought out plans aren’t always a success. And that’s okay!

Of course, it’s always a good idea to set up a game plan at the start of the school year. 

But at the same time, none of us know for sure what this year will look like.

Every day is a new day, and we need to roll with the punches. It may be a challenge at first, but your child is resilient and they’ve got this! Learn More

What Scientists Have To Say About Boredom And The Brain

Jaclyn Baker
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Think about it. Your brain never gets a day off.  Every single day our brain works hard to listen, make decisions, and keep us safe. The brain is so devoted to protecting us that it never takes a break.

Even when we’re sleeping, our brain is still running. Keep in mind that getting enough sleep is extremely important for our brain, and it’s health. When we don’t get enough sleep, the brain can’t function properly, which can lead to problems down the line. Believe it or not, sleep isn’t the only gift you can give your brain. 

Wondering what the other gift is?

If you guessed embracing boredom, you are correct!

Benefits of Embracing Boredom 

The idea of sitting down and doing nothing can seem quite counterintuitive. However, it can actually work wonders on our productivity.

When we are constantly on the go, we are much more likely to experience burnout and decision fatigue.

Several studies show that boredom can increase productivity and creativity. 

Just Be

When life gets busy sometimes, we can forget to take a minute to just be and do nothing. 

Many famous writers have said their best ideas have come to them while taking a shower or organizing the house.  It just goes to show how powerful the brain can be, and how ideas can come to us anytime. So many of us have a daily to-do list. But, it may be time to think outside the box and start a to-be-list. 

Taking a casual walk around the block or stretching for as little as 5 minutes a day can make a huge difference! What are you waiting for? It’s time to embrace boredom and give your brain the rest it needs. Learn More

Changing The Way You Look At Online Dating

Jaclyn Baker
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Due to COVID-19, many people think that dating just isn’t an option. But that is not the case whatsoever. 

Online dating is a fantastic way to meet new people and step outside of your comfort zone. 

We live in a world that is constantly changing, and people all over the world have met their partners through dating apps and websites.  

Even though dating apps have not been around for that long, they have many strong success stories. 

Next Steps

Keep in mind that relationships can’t stay online forever. 

Sometimes it’s easier to open up and form a connection online. You’d be surprised how well you can get to know someone by instant messaging. 

The thing is, sometimes, text messages can get misinterpreted along the way and our emotions can play tricks on us. 

Even if you’ve been talking to someone online for months, actually setting up an in-person date can be scary. 

Your Attitude Matters

Go into every date with an open mind, and remember there is no such thing as a bad date! 

The first date can go one of two ways. Either the two of you have a good time and make a plan to go out again.

Or you realize that the spark isn’t there and you walk away with a new friend.

Set Reasonable Expectations

Sometimes we can go into dates with very high expectations, which can bring on a lot of pressure and anxiety. There is no such thing as perfection, and no one is expecting you to be perfect. 

Dating Takes Patience

Remember, dating is a process, and there is no set in the stone rule book.

The best thing you can do is put yourself out there, keep an open mind, and have fun!

Learn More

Coping With Parenting Stress By Pressing The Pause Button

Jaclyn Baker
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Being a parent is a full-time job. Although it’s very rewarding, it can also be quite stressful.

These past several months have been a lot to take in for both parents and children.

And now that back-to-school is just around the corner, both you and your child may be experiencing additional stress.

Whether your stress levels are high or low, taking just a few moments to pause every day can help you live in the moment and decrease stress.

Here are a few tips and tricks that can help you get started…

Prioritize:

There are only so many hours in a day to get things done. When life gets busy, we can often put our hobbies and/or passion projects on hold. 

Never feel guilty about practicing self-care and doing things that make you happy. 

Self-Compassion:

As a parent, it’s common to put your child’s needs before your own and put yourself last. 

At the end of the day, you have to be your own best friend – not your worst enemy.

Be kind to yourself. Give yourself some credit. You are doing the best you can.

Focus On The Here And The Now:

No matter what we say or do, we can’t change the past and we can’t predict the future.

Sometimes we can spend hours worrying about what may or may not happen tomorrow, instead of living in the moment and focusing on the now.

No one knows for sure what the rest of the year has in store for us. All we can do is spend time with loved ones, appreciate life and hit the pause button when we need to. Learn More

Let’s Rediscover Your Motivation

Jaclyn Baker
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You have the ability to achieve anything you set your mind to! You just have to rediscover your motivation!

Set SMART Goals:

Regular goal setting is a fantastic way to increase your overall motivation.

Setting SMART goals can give you something to work towards on a day to day basis, and give you a sense of direction. You don’t have to set large goals right away. You can start small and work your way up. 

Just remember to keep your goals SMART: 

Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. 

Set Daily Tasks:

Of course, having a solid set of goals can help you stay on track and think about the future. However, sometimes that isn’t enough to keep you motivated throughout the day. 

When you have so many things to do, it can often be difficult to know where to begin.

Taking just a few minutes every morning to write down your most important tasks can help declutter the mind and prioritize your day. Whenever a task is completed, you can cross it off and move onto the next one. 

At the end of the day, you can look back on your list and celebrate how much you got done.

Build a Consistent Routine:

Writing out a to-do list is one thing. Following it in an appropriate order is another.

There will always be items on your list that ideally should be completed before others. Some people prefer to tackle the most complicated items first thing, while others prefer to take it easy and work their way up.

You know yourself best. If you want to succeed, you have to do what works for you. A great hack is to label your to-do list in order of priority.

An “A” task must always be completed before a “B” task, and a B task must always be completed before a “C” task.

Emphasize Self-Care:

Practicing self-care and listening to your body is one of the best ways to prevent burnout. When we’re constantly on the go and worrying about things, it’s easy for our motivation to slip away. 

We all have those days where we just don’t feel motivated – and that’s okay!

Continuing to work on a task when our energy levels just aren’t there can be very exhausting and counterproductive.

If you feel like you need a break, go take one!

Call a Friend:

Being around people can be very motivating and give you some much-needed energy. As you know, getting together with friends is not an option right now. But that doesn’t mean you can’t call or FaceTime the people you love.

The next time you catch yourself feeling unmotivated, call up a friend and talk about something you love and/or are excited about.

That simple change of mindset can completely transform your mood.

Learn More

4 Healthy Habits To Help You Deal With Stress

Jaclyn Baker
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Practice Mindfulness + Meditation:

Mindfulness is all about stepping back and truly observing how and what we are feeling in the moment. 

When it comes to dealing with stress, you need to accept and understand what’s happening and why. 

Practicing mindfulness can help you get to that realization. The next time you catch yourself feeling stressed, ask yourself the following…

What am I feeling right now? Why am I feeling this way? How can I move past this?

We can’t always prevent or predict stress. But there are several techniques and tools out there that can help us embrace and accept it.

Set Up A Relaxation Zone:

Setting up a little relaxation zone in your bedroom can be very therapeutic. 

There is no right or wrong way to decorate a relaxation zone. As long as it’s full of things that make you feel calm, that’s all that matters.

The next time you catch yourself feeling stressed, you can head on over to your relaxation zone and take all the time you need to unwind. 

You can play calming music, stretch or spray essential oils. 

Practice Self Care:

You know, yourself and your body best. If you feel like you need an extra hour of sleep, or have to turn down an invitation, go ahead and do it.

At the end of the day, nothing is more important than your health and wellbeing.

Being well-rested can help you better handle stressful events and prevent burnout. 

Know Your Triggers:

We all have our own definition of stress. What you find stressful, someone else may find fun and vice versa. 

Once you know your triggers, you can come up with a game plan! 

With a little creativity and willingness to think about the box, you can become more resilient and deal with stress in healthier ways. 

Learn More

Self-Care 101 : Parenting Edition

Jaclyn Baker
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It’s a common misconception that self-care activities have to be well thought out and extravagant. But that is not the case. As a parent, practicing self-care can be simple if you want it to be. 

You can treat yourself to a cup of tea while reading your kids a book, or practice deep breathing while watching them play.

Practicing self-care and monitoring your moods can help you stay on track of your overall wellness.

Here are a few tips that can help you get started. 

Regularly Check In With Yourself:

When life gets busy, we can often forget to check on ourselves and reflect. 

Keep in mind that checking in with yourself doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply breathe in the calm and breathe out the stress. 

Paying attention to your breathing can also help you become more present. 

Ask Yourself What You Need Right Now:

We all have our own way of dealing with frustration and overwhelm. Some of us may need a glass of water, while others may need ten minutes of alone time.

Being a parent is a full time job. If you can’t take a time out right now, no need to worry. Once your children go to sleep you can start implementing your favourite self-care activities. Again the actual activity is up to you. Listen to your body. It knows what it needs.

Be Kind:

When things get tough, it’s so important to talk to yourself like you would to someone you love. No one expects you to be perfect. Remind yourself that you are doing the best you can and every accomplishment should be celebrated. You never fail. You either live or you learn. Learn More

How To Stop Worrying – A Step By Step Guide

Jaclyn Baker
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Do any of these thoughts sound familiar?

What if I fail?

What if I’m not good enough?

What if this doesn’t work out?

What if they don’t like me?

If you answered yes to any of the above, you are not alone! Constantly worrying can really take a toll on our health. So many of us tend to worry about things that are extremely unlikely to happen or things we have little – no control over. We may not be able to completely stop our worries, but we can dial down their intensity.

Identify The Trigger:

First things first, you’ll have to figure out what thoughts or events are causing you to worry. Did something recently happen? Are you going through a significant lifestyle change? Are you worried about what may or may not happen tomorrow? Once you understand the trigger or cause, you can work towards finding a solution. 

Journal:

Sometimes when we’re so worried, our imagination can get the best of us and make things feel bigger than they actually are.

Actually sitting down and writing out our thoughts and worries can help us better understand them and put them into perspective. Thoughts often look different on paper than they do in our mind after all. 

Think About The Evidence:

Remember, just because you feel something doesn’t make it true. Feelings are not facts!

Saying that out loud is one thing. Believing it is another. If you’re having a hard time finding appropriate evidence, here are a couple of questions you can ask yourself:

Has this worry come true in the past? If, so, how likely is it to happen again? 

What’s the worst thing that can happen?

Talk To Yourself Like You Would To Someone You Love:

Do you ever feel like you talk to your friends differently than you talk to yourself?

If a friend was going through what you are right now, what would you tell them to do? It’s time to become your own best friend and think things through rationally. Learn More

Making Decisions – Even When It’s Hard

Jaclyn Baker
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Take It One Step At a Time

We often procrastinate because we’re afraid of what may or may not happen next.

Of course, the unknown can be scary. But it’s part of life, and we never know what the future has in store.

Whether we procrastinate or not, the day will still go on. 

When in doubt, the best thing you can do is break up your responsibilities into small realistic steps. 

You may not have all the answers right now, and that’s okay. 

You have two choices. You can either worry about what may or may not happen. Or you can trust your instincts and be confident that when/if any problems arise, you have what it takes to handle them. 

Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable 

There’s nothing wrong with having a strong support system and seeking advice from them. The thing is, when we seek advice from the same people over and over again, it’s easy to get a little too comfortable.

There is always more than one way to do something. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and seek advice from someone new. It’s time to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. 

Avoid Avoidance

The longer we put something off, the scarier it tends to become. 

It is so much harder to make decisions when you’re scared or overwhelmed by anxiety.

All of those emotions can interfere with your decision-making skills and significantly delay the process.  

You may never feel 100% ready, and that’s completely okay. 

The journey may be bumpy, and you may make some mistakes along the way. You just have to remember that failure shouldn’t be avoided as it is your greatest teacher. Learn More

Reducing Anxiety and Stress During COVID-19

Jaclyn Baker
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Experiencing fear, anxiety, sadness or anger are all very normal during stressful situations, change or significant life events.

It’s no secret that change is hard. Going through so many changes in a short period of time can be a lot to take in. However, the sooner you accept and embrace your feelings, the sooner you can move past them.

Focus On The Facts:

Emotions are very powerful and can often get the best of us – that is if we let them. 

We all have three states of mind. An emotional mind, a rational mind, and a wise mind.

Having an emotional mind is common during stressful situations. But if we aren’t careful, that mindset can quickly escalate anxieties.

Thinking rationally is all about focusing on the facts and staying clear of black and white thinking.

Spending Time Around Positive People:

The people we spend our time with have a massive impact on the way we think and feel. Both positive and negative behaviors are contagious. Chances are if you spend the majority of your time around positive people, their positivity will rub off on you.

Focus On Self-Care:

When life gets busy, we can often put ourselves last. No matter how difficult things may be right now, it’s so important to prioritize self-care. 

These self-care activities don’t need to be extravagant or break the bank. You can take a nap, read a book, draw, etc.

Learn More