SPS Monthly Wellness Tips: Three Wellness Goals for 2023-2024

Can you believe it? We are in the last month of the 23-24 school year, and this means it is our last month of this year's focus on movement, connections, and work-life balance. This doesn't mean that we will be placing any less of a focus on these three issues next school year, but we certainly might have some new goals to focus on (of course, while still being intentional about these very important goals). Here are the recommendations for this month! 

Movement: Take part in “Walk This May!” This month, whether you participate in the official challenge or not (read more below), follow these tips to get your steps in.

• Grab a co-worker and take a walk before or after school, or on a quick break in your day.
• Find a pretty, peaceful location near you to explore during the weekends. This might be a lake, mountain trail, a park, public garden, etc.
• Walk to the farthest printer, park far away, take the stairs, etc.
• March in place during your favorite show.
• Stand up: turn phone calls into an opportunity to stretch your legs.
• Put some pep in your steps and dance while you walk! Follow along with this 12 Minute Pop Walk or a Walk at Home option for inspiration.

Connections: Looking for something to do with others? Whether you want to meet someone new, plan something with a colleague, or go somewhere with a friend or family, check out this list of *all* of the things. From live music, to art exhibits, to the *check’s notes* the 4th Annual Oklahoma Mini-Silky Fainting Goat Show or the *check’s notes again* “Rabbit Posse of Oklahoma Show”... you can find it all at VisitStillwater.org 

Work-Life Balance: As the school year winds down, the month of May is extremely busy with banquets, class parties, sports, concerts, and all the end-of-year celebrations. Sometimes it seems like there is a never ending list of things to do and places to be. Remember to take some downtime for yourself so you do not crash and burn at the end of the year. It can often be difficult to decompress at the end of a school year when the day-to-day responsibilities of the classroom are not present. This is completely normal, and it can take some time to settle into a new routine. Whatever your plans are for this summer, try to take some time to rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul.

Teacher Appreciation Week

We appreciate all you do for Stillwater Public Schools and for our students. Be on the lookout for information about TAW freebies and discounts in the Stillwater community!

Walk This May

It's that time of year again and Walk This May is here! This is a community-wide step challenge that will take place throughout the month of May. This is a great opportunity to not just add more movement into our days, but also to work together as a team and build social connections. Walking has been proven to improve cardiovascular health, improve cognitive function, and even reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety.

To register for this challenge, visit ChallengeRunner: https://www.challengerunner.com/enroll/8e34mp-4k1c

Any questions regarding the event can be directed to Sarah Gold at sarah.weiss@okstate.edu. 

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health has consistently been at the forefront of wellness conversations for the past few years, and 2024 is no exception. This month allows us the opportunity to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being and provide resources and information to support individuals and communities who may need mental health support. This May, let’s work together to make our schools, homes, and communities better spaces for improved mental health. 

SPS has several exciting things in store for Mental Health Awareness Month, and we hope you participate. Check out this site for more information. Please use the May Mental Health Calendar in your classroom, at home, or solo! 

Finally, check out the free resources from Headspace for school staff and mental health month. Here is a message from Headspace: This Mental Health Awareness Month, we're focusing on ways people can prioritize their workplace well-being. Because when we strengthen our ability to manage stress, well-being, and boundaries on the job, we end up feeling happier everywhere else. Explore our Mental Health Matters collection for tips on outsmarting burnout, communicating your boundaries, and creating a more compassionate world to live and work in. Access the collection here. 

Employee Health & Fitness Day

May 15th is Employee Health and Fitness Day and serves as an opportunity to raise awareness on the necessity and benefits of physical activity for employees. Over 80% of all U.S. jobs are sedentary, and sedentary lifestyles increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and osteoporosis. Lack of time and opportunity for movement, fresh air, and mindfulness practices also contribute to the development of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety and worsens symptoms of existing conditions. This May, let’s set the example of prioritizing employee health in intentional, consistent, and meaningful ways. Not sure where to start? Visit the OSU Employee Wellness Resource Library for more ideas. Get up, get out, and MOVE!

Farmer's Market

Embracing Creativity: Celebrating the Seasonal Bounty at Stillwater Farmers Market, retrieved from the Stillwater Farmers Market

As we step into the vibrant month of May, we anticipate the colorful bounty that our beloved market will soon showcase. Picture-perfect arrays of vegetables, jams, jellies, meats, and more are soon to grace our stalls, painting our community with the hues of freshness and flavor. But until then, let's celebrate the beauty of simplicity and creativity with the seasonal treasures we currently have at hand. Let's embrace the essence of now by incorporating the treasures we have into our meals, transforming them into culinary masterpieces. Imagine the magic we can create by infusing locally sourced ingredients into our dishes, utilizing the diversity of flavors and textures available to us. From hearty stews to refreshing salads, the possibilities are endless. Let's explore the art of being creative with our culinary endeavors, experimenting with new combinations and techniques to craft dishes that truly reflect the spirit of the season. As we eagerly await the abundance of colors and flavors that will soon grace our market, let's revel in the joy of creating something extraordinary out of the ordinary. Join us every Saturday at the Stillwater Farmers Market, where community spirit meets culinary delight.  Below is a recipe that would be sure to be a nice change to a classic side dish! For more recipes you can check out the Stillwater Farmers Market website page! Reminder!!!! You can shop with us every Wednesday and Saturday in front of the Prairie Arts Center from 8 AM to 1 PM. We hope to see everyone there!!!!!

Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds large Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut in 3/4-inch chunks

• 5 large garlic cloves

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 7 to 8 ounces garlic-and-herb goat cheese, at room temperature, such as Montrachet

• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 

• 1 1/2 cups sour cream

• 1/2 cup half-and-half or milk

• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the potatoes, garlic and 1 tablespoon salt in a large pot with enough water to cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, until very tender.

Drain the potatoes and garlic and process them together through a food mill fitted with the coarsest blade set on top of a bowl. While the potatoes are still hot, stir in the goat cheese, butter, sour cream, half-and-half, 4 teaspoons salt and 2 teaspoons pepper until smooth.

Pour the mixture into a 9-by-12-by-2-inch oval baking dish, smoothing the top. Sprinkle the Parmesan on top and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until lightly browned. Serve hot.

Cook’s Note

Make it ahead: Assemble the dish, including the parmesan, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Bake before serving.

Mental Health Apps for Educators 

The Headspace App is free for educators; sign up here. Headspace offers free access to K-12 (primary-secondary) teachers and support staff. Whether you’re feeling inspired to connect more with your students or you’re looking for a new way to bring calm to your classroom, Headspace can help students build healthy habits that last a lifetime. Better focus, less stress, and happier thoughts are just a few minutes away. Headspace is proven to reduce stress by 14% in just 10 days. It can also help you relax your mind in minutes, improve focus, and get the best sleep ever.

Simple Habit knows life can be challenging sometimes. That’s why it offers simple five-minute meditations to help ease your mind. The app lets you personalize your experience and choose interests that matter to you--whether it’s increased focus, productivity, fitness, and more--and then allows you to choose from various short meditation practices. The app is perfect for busy people on the go, who, at a moment's notice, can pop in their earbuds and find respite, relaxation, advice, or healing.  

The Calm App is of the most popular apps for meditation, relaxation, and getting some much-needed shut-eye. It’s also now free for educators. Teachers in K-12 classrooms can now get free access to Calm’s paid subscription service and access a library chock-full of guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and soothing tunes to keep you feeling present, blissful, or put you to bed. Through the Calm Students Initiative, teachers can also opt in to receive best practices to introduce mindfulness to the classroom as well.

Simple, effective, and free, Breathing Zone, helps guide you to a calmer state. Through using your phone's microphone, the app detects your breathing rate and automatically sets your target breathing rate and works with you to gradually reduce it. The Breathing Zone is a great option for those looking to lower blood pressure or quickly manage moments of stress and anxiety in minutes. 

Upcoming Events:

• May 4: Cinco de Mayo Pepper Run 
  • This is a 1 mile, 5k, 10k, 15k and half-marathon run at Boomer Lake. For more information, click here. 
• May 6, 13, 20, 27: Yoga in the Plaza at the McKnight Center
  • This free class is open to all levels of yoga experience. More info here. 
• May 8: National Bike and Roll to School Day!
  • To learn more, click here. 
• May 10: Concert in the Garden at the Botanic Garden at OSU. 5:45-7:30
• May 18: Stillwater Farmers Market Super Saturday, Nature’s Vein
  • Nature's Vein is a wildlife rescue who strives to create a bond between man and nature. They will be at the market from 9 AM to 11AM, May 18th for our second Super Saturday of the Year!
• May 24: All Stillwater area Splash Pads Open! 
• June 6-9: Dancing Turtle Festival 
  • Whether your passion is the visual arts, music, dancing, theater, film or the industrial arts, this festival has something for you! Dancing Turtle is a gathering that immerses its guests in the arts; it is a gathering that honors and highlights the breadth, depth and history of regional and global cultures. There are several free opportunities to learn more about music, film, the arts, and more. Learn more here.