Strategy Saturday - {how to maintain your sanity.}

Photo Credit: Google Images 

The road to Thanksgiving break is a long stretch for teachers and students alike, and every year, I swear it gets longer and longer, and this year is not any different. 

While I love my teammates and my students, the year seems never ending around the end of October and beginning of November - the work is hard, the days long, and everyone's tired. 

Deadlines come faster than you can write them down in your expensive planner, and the turn around time for anything seems immediate. 
The million dollar question at this hour is - how do you maintain your sanity and work ethic when the hours and days get long? 

This year, I have found myself trying to balance work and life appropriately - I have two teammates, who are brand new teachers, and I don't want them to think the only way to be an effective teacher is to let it consume you, because it's not. 

I have joined the Y, and started going to work out classes. I have read 3 (almost 4) non school books in the recent weeks, and there are many nights of the week that school work stays in a bag by the door. 

If this, however, was the only way to keep your sanity, then every teacher would be a pro at it, but it's not. So, as the holiday season approaches, here are some simple things that you can do to improve your mental health and make the road to the holiday break even easier. 

1. Move. I am not talking about exercising every day for two hours, I am talking about a short walk around the block, yoga while watching TV, stretching while you're making dinner - some sort of physical activity to keep your body from growing cobwebs. 

2. Journal. This one is a little more personable, but keeping a journal doesn't have to be a Dear Diary sort of situation. You can keep a journal for personal, professional, or religious reasons. I journal for all three, and it's very therapeutic to write down thoughts, dreams, ideas, and situations that are clouding my head. I am a very emotional person and keeping things from bubbling in me makes me a better person, not just a better teacher. 

3. Enjoy a hobby. I realize that as this list progresses it becomes more and more clique; however, these are truly things that I do in real life, and I want other teachers and professionals to experience the same freeing feeling of separating life and work. I encourage you to find something you enjoy and keep doing it, despite your professional obligations. I like to sew, write, read, and play Sims, but you have to find what works best for you. I have a friend that takes herself on weekly dates that involve dinner and a movie. I have another friend that enjoys arts and crafts. Whatever you decide to do separate from your job, enjoy it. 

4. Take care of your body. This one is more than important, and not just for teachers. At this point, we are in our twenties, and we should start loving ourselves, which means watching what we eat, washing our faces, and getting at least seven hours of sleep. You can't run your body into the ground and expect that it will turn out excellence. We have to take care of ourselves. Ditch the fast food, grab an apple, and go to bed at 9 PM like a normal person. 

As the weekend disappears quickly, and the week peers from around the corner, remember that a break is almost here - we can see it! Remember, the work you are doing is noble and not for the faint heart. There's a reason you are in your classroom (or office.) 

Until next time loves, 
Lucy