2P58: Navigating Anxiety and Finding Calm as a School Leader

In this empowering episode, co-hosts Jason and Kevin tackle the critical issue of managing anxiety and stress as a school principal. Drawing from personal experiences, they explore the unique challenges principals face and provide practical strategies to cope, build resilience, and enhance leadership capabilities.

Key topics include defining anxiety, its impacts on principals, mindfulness techniques, boundary-setting, physical activity, support systems, and more. Jason and Kevin share vulnerable insights from their leadership journeys, stressing the human need for connection. They conclude with actionable advice on intentional self-care and seeking support from others.

This motivating discussion offers wisdom and hope for educators struggling with anxiety while emphasizing the role principals play in modeling healthy work-life integration. Tune in to gain perspective and tools to navigate the pressures of school leadership.

Key Points:

• Principals face anxiety tied to meeting demands, safety concerns, conflicts, and performance worries
• Excessive stress can impair decision-making, health, staff morale, and student support
• Strategies: boundaries, exercise, mindfulness, delegating, time management, therapy
• Transparency about self-care and mental health normalizes conversations
• Prioritize hobbies, social connections, learning - life is meant to be enjoyed
• Consistent sleep and reflection time are vital for stress management
• You can’t do this alone - seek support through mentors, colleagues, counselors
• Model the change you want to see - make mental wellbeing an everyday priority

2Principal Partner:

Healthwise Behavioral Health & Wellness

We want to take a moment to communicate our most sincere gratitude for our supportive sponsor Healthwise Behavioral Health and Wellness. This organization has believed in the 2Principals from the start and we couldn’t be more thankful. If you are looking for an organization that has a philosophy of considering the whole-person with comprehensive services that are rooted in evidence-based science while at the same time understanding the inter-connectedness of the mind, body, and experience, then look no further than Healthwise Behavioral Health and Wellness.

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Email us at 2principalspodcast@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments for us.  We would love to answer your questions on the show!