I am one of thousands of California teachers who somehow managed to make it through the fall semester of 2021. It was a very long and treacherous road with many highlights and rainbows, as well as bumps and bruises along the way.
So, when I say “welcoming a new year (cautiously),” I mean that we need to really examine ourselves and look for ways to stay healthy in all aspects– physically, mentally, and spiritually.
As I contemplate the start of this year and think back to how everything unfolded, there were a few practices which I learned throughout the semester which helped me focus on myself, instead of the job. I needed something as a reminder to devote a little time to myself instead of just the newness of returning to the classroom. I learned these methods through social media, online estheticians, and articles which talked about different forms of self-care.
So, these were a few products which I managed to buy through Amazon which helped me to focus on taking care of myself. Whether this care was for my mental health or for my skin care, it was effective for me and hopefully it will be effective for you if you choose to try these items.
One of the items I found interesting was the Guasha tool kit. Guasha is a Chinese medical practice of scraping skin in order to improve blood flow and regenerate the body’s healing and recovery. Although it sounds painful, it isn’t and is usually used with some form of oil to help smooth the skin.
I know these little tools don’t look like much, but they worked for me. I’m not sure how others felt after teaching this first semester back, but I felt like the stress was starting to show on my face. I began to research ways to appear naturally refreshed and energized. If I happened to make me look younger as well, even better.
Numerous sites took me to Guasha tools, which are stones usually made of jade and when used with a facial oil, can reduce puffiness and fine lines of the face. These tools also help relieve stress and tension in the neck and back of the head. This process of using the Guasha tools and oil only took about 10-15 minutes and worked wonders in refreshing my appearance. I was hooked. (see the tool kit which I purchased below).
Although I’m not on expert on the Guasha process, I was guided by plenty of estheticians who had tutorials on the correct methods to use the Guasha stones and facial oil together. If you’re a teacher or in a profession with a great deal of stress, you might find some comfort in using these techniques to help feel refreshed and invigorated.
Another tool which I discovered was an acupressure pain relief pen. Since I’ve suffered with fibromyalgia for about 20 years, I have used natural reflexology methods on my hands, arms, back, etc. for relief from periodic pain throughout the day. I’m a firm believer that we can help alleviate the pain in our bodies with natural techniques, although I’m aware that constant and recurring pain may need muscle relaxers and deep massage for relief.
In addition to the acupressure pen, I also purchased the book, Facial Reflexology – A Self-Care Manual (both products are seen below)
In using both the acupressure pen and the guided manual, I targeted a few main trigger points which seemed to always aggravate me, like tension over my eyebrows or along the sides of my neck. The reflexology book is also good at explaining how to reduce pain in other areas of the body by simply pressing points on the face.
I found the book and acupressure pen useful and beneficial as I sat at my desk, ate my lunch, and pressed the acupressure pen into points on my forehead, neck, or temples. Something so small did wonders in producing euphoric effects which helped me get through my day. Although some may feel these are silly tools to use in self-care, they were beneficial for me, and hopefully they might work for you as well.
I’ll be continuing with this pattern of looking for methods of self-care in this upcoming year. If there is one thing I learned about returning after virtual learning, it is that I need to pay attention to my stress level and emotions throughout the weeks that seem to fly by after grading and planning. I’ve always tried to maintain a balance in my life, but this semester has been a challenge. I hope many of you in stressful situations take care of yourselves throughout this new year.
Stay blessed everyone…
"It's a Beautiful Life"- Genevieve Galvan Frenes 
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