Sometimes the smallest gestures hold the biggest power. In this episode, we’re talking about how the High Five Habit can transform your energy, your relationships, and your school year.
What you’ll discover in this episode:
- How high fives activate your brain’s reward center and lift your mood.
- Simple ways to use high fives with students, colleagues, and even yourself.
- The importance of celebrating presence and effort—not just performance.
- Ideas like high five rituals and creating a school-wide high five wall.
- Why giving yourself a high five in the mirror can shift your confidence and outlook.
Whether it’s literal, symbolic, or metaphorical, high fives are a powerful reminder that we see each other, we’re not alone, and we’re worth cheering for.
Transcript
Carol: You're listening to the Counselor Chat podcast, a show for school counselors looking for easy to implement strategies, how to tips, collaboration, and a little spark of joy.
I'm Carol Miller, your host. I'm a full time school counselor and the face behind counseling essentials. I'm all about creating simplified systems, data driven practices, and using creative approaches to engage students.
If you're looking for a little inspiration to help help you make a big impact on student growth and success, you're in the right place. Because we're better together.
Ready to chat.
Let's dive in.
Hey there, counselor friends. Welcome back to Counselor Chat. This is the podcast that's here to bring you some simple strategies,
some soul deep inspiration,
and the occasional reminder that you are absolutely crushing it,
even when it feels like you're just holding it together with caffeine and a prayer.
I'm your host, Carol Miller,
and today we're kicking off the school year with one small,
powerful gesture that can completely shift your energy,
your relationships, and yes,
even your impact.
We're talking about the high five habit.
All right, now before you roll your eyes and think, okay, Carol, are we really talking about slapping hands today?
Oh yes, my friends,
we absolutely are.
Because the humble high five isn't just for basketball games and kindergarteners.
It's a proven brain boosting, morale lifting, human connection tool that when used intentionally, can change the way that we start each day, support others and see ourselves.
So let's dive in.
Now, we all know what a high five is, right?
That's when two hands meet in midair.
There's a smack of connection,
maybe a little eye contact,
a smile,
maybe even a woohoo.
But here's what makes a high five magic.
It's a transfer of energy.
It says, I see you,
I'm with you.
You did something worth celebrating.
War.
Just showing up was enough.
I mean, that simple hand gesture literally activates the reward centers in your brain.
It boosts dopamine, it lifts mood, and it triggers positive associations.
In fact, studies show that athletes who give more high fives and fist bumps have better team chemistry and performance.
Because high fives, they build trust, connection and belief.
And don't we all need more of that in schools?
So you might be wondering, how do high fives show up in our world?
Well, sometimes it's literal. Like when a student shares that they finally turned in that missing assignment and you high five them for their follow through.
Sometimes it's symbolic.
Like that look that you gave a teacher after a tough class meeting that says you did it. You Made it through.
And sometimes it's a metaphorical high five when you quietly validate a student's emotions or you simply sit with them through their sadness.
The point is, high fives, they transfer power.
They take someone who feels unseen and say you matter.
They take a tough moment and say,
you're still in this.
They're small,
but they're mighty.
Now, all right,
let's talk about something a little uncomfortable.
When was the last time, my friends, that you gave yourself a high five?
And no, I don't mean congratulating yourself when you finally cleared your email inbox or you made it through a meeting without rolling your eyes.
I mean this.
Stand in front of the mirror and literally give yourself a high five.
Yep, that's right.
Raise your hand,
look yourself in the eyes,
and high five your reflection.
Does it sound silly?
Maybe.
Will it feel awkward at first?
Will it work?
Absolutely.
And this idea comes from the amazing Mel Robbins and her high five habit.
And she explains that most of us are quick to cheer others on, but when we look at ourselves in the mirror, we criticize, we sigh,
and we pick ourselves apart.
But when you high five yourself,
you're sending the message you're worth showing up for.
You're doing great.
You've got this and that energy.
Well, you carry it into your day, your classroom, your counseling office,
heck, your entire school.
All right,
let's get practical.
Here's a few ways that you can incorporate the high five habit into your school year.
1.
Start with some high five morning rituals.
Give yourself a high five in the mirror before you leave for school and pair it with a phrase like,
let's go make a difference today.
Number two.
High five students for showing up.
And not just for big accomplishments,
but celebrate those small ones.
Hey, you remembered your lunch today.
High five.
Or you used your coping strategy instead of yelling high five.
Because it's not about performance.
It's about effort and presence.
3,
High 5 your team.
I mean, give your principal, your social worker, or your school secretary a high five just for being in the building.
I mean, you never know who needs it.
4.
Create a high five wall.
Put sticky notes on a bulletin board where students and staff can write high fives to each other.
High five to Mrs. J for helping me with my math test. High five to Jalen for letting me sit with him at lunch.
High five to Ms. Tracy for making the best chicken for lunch today.
I mean, that small act of kindness becomes visible and contagious.
But before I close today,
I want to give you a high five.
Yes,
you because you who is gearing up for another year filled with lesson plans and data tracking and student meltdowns, those hallway check ins and those mystery referrals that just say needs help.
You, who gives to others constantly and sometimes forgets to give to yourself.
Here's your high five, my counselor friend,
for showing up, for caring deeply,
for being a safe place,
for believing in kids others gave up on,
and for doing the unseen,
the unpaid, the unglamorous work that changes lives.
You are the high five someone else needs today.
And you owe one to yourself too.
All right my friends,
that's it for today's episode of Counselor Chat.
As you head into this new school year, I hope you'll carry this habit with you.
Look for the high five moments.
Create them,
share them and receive them.
And don't forget to give one to the amazing person staring back at you in the mirror.
You,
my friend, are not just doing good work,
you are good work.
So until next time,
take care of yourself and remember,
you've got this high five.
Bye for now.
Thanks for listening to today's episode of Counselor Chat. All of the links I talked about can be found in the show notes and at counselingessentials.org podcast. Be sure to hit follow or subscribe on your favorite podcast player and if you would be so kind to leave a review, I'd really appreciate it.
Want to connect? Send me a DM on Facebook or Instagram at counselingessentials. Until next time. Can't wait till we chat.
Bye for now.
