I've been trying to focus on staying relaxed and taking things in stride today--the first day back after break. In fact, I made sure NOT to schedule big home projects to do over break, so that I had a chance to relax. I am wondering how people take care of themselves? I was taking yoga classes and going to the gym over break. I also made a point to connect with friends that I hadn't seen for a while. I can feel that the healing/resting time over break did me wonders. I feel that today I am much more patient, more joking, more "loose" with the students than I was before break. Why not post some things we do to keep happy and healthy? What are our new year's resolutions for ourselves--not focusing on our classrooms, but on ourselves? It was really hitting me over break that if we focus on our own health, the rest will follow.
What do you think??
I wish I could participate in this!!!
ReplyDeleteI do tend to not focus on the classroom and just focus on coaching. I do however try to exercise as much as possible. I get in and swim with the boys and try to have some fun with them as it's a long week of training.
And getting 8-9 hours of sleep every night! That's huge.
Graet idea to recognize that we need to take care of our selves first! I coulnd't agree more about how important it is to know what to do to make ourselves happy first.
ReplyDeleteSome things I did over break was scrapbook and just agree that it was okay to do "nothing." I would allow myself to watch tv, movies, and actually free read my first book in six months!!
I agree with Eric that getting those 8 to 9 hours of sleep is key for me!
Thanks for sharing everyone!
GREAT post Ann. I think sometimes we can get so caught up with our work that we tend to forget about ourselves.
ReplyDeleteLast year I spoke with a retired prinicpal and she told me the most important thing to remember in teaching is to make time for yourself, otherwise you start to forget you and get burnt out.
My first year teaching I dont think I really focused too much on myself and couldnt definitely feel the tiredness creeping up on me, but this year I have really tried to leave my work at school (when I can) and focus on things that make me happy and relaxed at home too. For instance....another teacher told me she scheduled massages once a month to get out all of that stress she was feeling at work. Now I cant afford a once a month deal, but I figured why not splurge on at least 1 mid-year for a little de-compression!! Cant wait :)
I definitly need about 20-30 minutes when I get home each day to decompress (exercise/change into comfy clothes). My kids (3 1/2 and 2) know that I have some away time.. then, its Daddy time :). Helps me get into gear for the evening.
ReplyDeleteI agree, great post! You always hear people talk about the importance of having a balance in life, and I know that creating a balance has been difficult for me! As we all know with teaching, there is always something to work on or do. But I am learning to take things in stride and focus on one day at a time.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for everyone's comments. It is great to hear that it is not only me that needs to stop and reflect a bit on myself. I think that is a great way to support ourselves is to touch base about things outside of school and work with each other. Also, I think it is just plain important to laugh and have a good sense of humor. I heard laughing is a great way to get rid of those stressers in our system.
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