From Dan Wold, Superintendent of Eureka School District, Nevada – also the drummer in the band. Here is his tip for the week, shared with me and my readers.

This time of year there always seems to be a renewed interest in fitness, and we know that folks who are physically fit are more stress-hardy. So, for the next few weeks, we are going to briefly review training for strength, endurance and flexibility. All three are important!

Strength training encourages hormone production, joint strength, and balance; strength training improves bone density, posture, confidence, and fights depression. Wow!

We do not need to do a dozen exercises; an upper-body push (bench, military), an upper-body pull (pull-ups, curls) a lower-body push (squats, leg-press) and a lower-body pull (dead-lift, windmills) are enough. As you do these, always maintain an athletic posture and correct form. If you vary the placement of your feet, the angle of your body, and the weight, repetitions and number of sets, a great variety is possible with just four exercises.

Strength training doesn’t have to be “weights;” it can be any resistance (“Isometrics” are making a comeback). I can do my whole workout with one pair of 25-pound dumbbells in 20 minutes.

If strength training is new for you, please make sure to start slowly and maintain correct form; getting injured is stressful!

Weekly Newsletter sent out by a Nevada Superintendent Danny Wold – the drummer in the band and author of Stress: The Musical. January 15, 2019. Thanks for sharing Danny!

“Life is what happens while you are making other plans.” John Lennon

The two biggest universal stressors are kids and money, and for most of us the Holidays involve both.

When kids are stressing you out, it can be helpful to remember that adolescence is temporary, and most kids figure it out eventually. By the time most folks are age 25-30 they are fairly pleasant neighbors and coworkers. When interviewed, most voice appreciating adults’ kindness and consistency back when they were challenging.

When it comes to money, it helps to remember that money responds to the way you treat it; if you want financial stability, treat it with care. My brother is a retired millionaire, and he says, “Don’t ask where your money went, tell it where to go.”

I am not a great with resolutions, but if you are, perhaps you can resolve to be more mindful in the way you treat adolescents (kindness and consistency) and money (care and deliberation). Might take some stress away!