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When the Teacher Becomes the Student

  • Writer: Patricia Faust
    Patricia Faust
  • Apr 1, 2021
  • 3 min read


Over this past year, I have been teaching and coaching about being resilient in the time of COVID. Writing, speaking, and coaching about reducing stress, investing in positive thoughts, taking care of yourself first, and other epic(!) ideas always kept that information in front of me. And I firmly believed in everything I spoke about. I made it my goal and a personal challenge to continually look for something positive every day and focus on that.


I believe I did well throughout this coronavirus pandemic. Many people benefitted from my knowledge about brain health and toxic stress. But I have to admit, the longer COVID went on, the more vulnerable I became to stress. Stress is insidious. It starts releasing chemicals throughout your whole body before you are even aware that you triggered the stress response. My regular stressors like finances and my family, all seemed to be humming along nicely. Until none of it was working right anymore.


I am sure many of you understand what I am about to say. This is especially true if you are a tad older and didn’t experience any women’s rights while you were working or having kids. This isn’t necessarily generational, and the virus really highlighted all of the responsibilities women have when they work at home, take care of their kid’s school day and then become a wife in the evening. The pressures build and BAM! – burnout.


When I truly understood how toxic stress could change my brain, I knew I was in trouble. There I was talking about a brain healthy lifestyle and I wasn’t sleeping, eating lots of carbs and only getting sporadic exercise. But I did realize I was in trouble. That was a plus. So, what did I do? I have a very good friend who is compassionate and empathetic and has listened and mentored me for a long time. She would understand what I was going through. It is funny; we have never met face to face. But we are the closest of friends and confidantes. We have worked through difficult circumstances before. That friendship is so vital because life can be very hard – as we have witnessed.


Have all my words been hollow because I was the person facing burnout? Definitely not! If nothing else this experience has deepened my understanding of the importance of friendships. It has allowed me to feel the pain that others feel and that gives me insight into solutions. I did go back to the blogs I wrote and the presentations I gave on toxic stress, worry, anxiety and depression. Since I have lived these words now, I feel empowered to be of service to other women who are totally burned out too.


Our brain is magnificent. We have given its power a run for the money. By looking deeply into how I was handling my worries and then acknowledging the consequences of my thoughts, it allowed me to device a new plan. Having a plan sounds stiff and ineffective when you are in such an emotional state. But quite the opposite is true. When you can’t think clearly, pull out your ‘plan’. It will be simple to follow and clear to understand. Take that path to feeling better and turning your life around. Every problem is an opportunity in disguise. Look for the opportunity in all of your pain.


Your stress, anxiety and lack of a defined endpoint to this situation need not keep you immobilized. Talk to a friend, join a group, love yourself, and congratulate yourself for all of the crises you have averted and the problems you have solved.


This too will end.


Patricia Faust, MGS

 
 
 

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March was an unusual month for me.  Normally I work on articles, give presentations and generally just stay tuned to what is going on in the field of aging.  This month I “learned” a lot.  Last year I learned how to write a book.  At the time I took the course I thought it would just be a natural extension of all the writing I had done over the years.  WRONG!!  The actual writing of the book was the easy part.  Putting it together into a book was difficult for me.  The course gave me step by step lessons on constructing a book.  Then editing and formatting were just as challenging.  On June 7 last year the book was published!  It was one of the most satisfying days of my writing career. 

Naturally, when you self-publish, you do not have a publisher promoting the book and getting it in the right categories for best sales on Amazon.  That was crushing because I really didn’t know to appropriately market it.  I am a brain health person!  In December of last year, I purchased a marketing program that is based on statistics.  I am technical minded and so this approach made sense to me.  The course is almost completed.  Can’t wait to see if it improves sales!

The next step I am looking at is recording an audiobook.  This is another venture I knew nothing about.  But I am already tagged on Facebook for marketing of audio book programs.  Facebook picks up everything.  Now my husband was creative director for an advertising agency and when I told him I purchased another class – he couldn’t believe it.  “This was my business.  I know how to do recordings, why didn’t you ask me?” Well, I knew he was an expert in that business, but this audiobook needs to meet all the criteria that Amazon requires for publication.  So, he can take care of the recording part of this audiobook, and I will navigate the process of meeting Amazon’s requirements.  We worked on the book together like this. 

Then I talked with some coaching experts on the viability of starting group teaching programs.  Reading The Boomer Brain book and implementing the Brain Healthy Lifestyle have two entirely different outcomes.  This lifestyle is important to maintaining high cognitive function throughout the later years of our lives.  Look for updates as to when I will roll this program out.

My last learning endeavor was attending a two-day bootcamp for Speakers.  I am really excited about what I learned there.  That is a late this year or next year project, but it is one I am really looking forward to.

 

What Is Happening in April?

The American Society on Aging is having their annual conference in Orlando Florida April 21-24.  This is the largest multidisciplinary conference on aging and the annual conference for Members of ASA.  I have attended a number of these conferences throughout the years, and it is consequential.  Keynote speakers and special events are focused on combating ageism in our society.  Although this is a professional meeting, the attendees come from all aspects of aging services.  They have their work cut out for them this year!

April is Stress Awareness Month.  We should be aware of stress every month and understand how we can break the stress cycle.  These are stressful times, and we need to protect ourselves

Here is a positive one “April is National Volunteer Month”.  When I am working with new retirees who don’t know what to do, I talk to them about volunteering. It is important to have a purpose after you leave the workforce.  There are so many nonprofits who need help in all aspects of their organizations.  It is a perfect way to give back.

Finally – It was Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds – the oldest major league team in the nation.  Cincinnati takes that responsibility seriously.  There is always an Opening Day Parade through downtown to the Ball Park.  Huge crowds line the streets and every year there is talk of making it an official holiday.  Schools and employers look the other way when there is an empty desk.  No matter what the outcome of the game is, there is so much joy, and you can feel that energy.  I am fortunate that I get to experience that.  We all need some joy right now. 

Enjoy your April.

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