Session 6
Staff MESH
Mental, Emotional and Social Health (MESH) looks very different for everyone. Some people thrive in social situations and struggle when left to the quiet of their own homes. Others need to have “Me” time in order to give their best to friends and family. In addition, more and more of our “Social” interactions are done on devices via social media, texting or other apps. Having healthy MESH while at camp will take work. We are asking you to push yourselves to disconnect to connect. We are asking you to be around lots of people, including kids, who are demanding of your time and energy. We are asking you to stretch your own abilities – which is part of the reason that a camp job is so rewarding. That said, this is a team effort. Communication, asking for help, leaning on your co-workers and knowing how to manage your own stress is very important.
Task 1: Relax Like a Boss
- Skim through/read: Relax Like a Boss
- Feel free to click on any of the links, read any of the articles or watch any of the videos – some very interesting stuff! You will be asked in the later tasks to look at some parts in more depth.
Task 2: Recognizing Symptoms of Stress
- Look at the infographic below and reference Section 2 of Relax Like a Boss – What are the Symptoms of Stress? Identify the 3 symptoms that typically effect you first when you start to feel abnormal levels of stress. If you are having trouble recognizing which three symptoms most pertain to you, think back to a scenario in the last six months where you have felt overly stressed. What was your body’s reaction to that stress? In a conflict, which reaction does your body typically have?
- Be ready to talk about those 3 symptoms during your next Chat with your Mentor. You will also discuss ways to manage stress while at camp. Returning Staff: Email Jordan
Task 3: Benefits of Stress and Changing your Mindset
- Read Relax Like a Boss: Section 4-Benefits of Stress
- Read Relax Like a Boss: Section 6-Change Your Mindset and look at the infographic below.
Task 4: Help us help you!
Complete the questionnaire below…don’t worry it is not a quiz!
Task 5: Optional (yet suggested) Challenge #1
Use your phone to set a limit of Social Media and Screen time for yourself for the 3 days of a weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). On any given camp day, you will typically have 1-2 hours of time available for checking instagram, messaging family and friends or watching all the super smart videos you watch on YouTube. Challenge yourself to limit yourself to 1 hour/day of Social Media and Messaging time. Report back. How did it go?
Task 6: Optional (yet suggested) Challenge #2
During your interview we talked about people that are our “Constant Contact” people (best friends, parents, siblings, significant others). At camp we will have less time to interact with those people. Pick a weekend, let those people know what you are doing and then don’t talk to them for 3 days. Sounds silly but we want you to feel connected and jump in to your camp job with both feet. Having people on the outside pressure you to spend time away from your co-workers, campers and other camp fun can cause stress and create a situation that causes you to have a less than optimal experience at Foley. Practice makes perfect – may as well start now. Report back. How did it go?