De-Stress, Teachers

Hats off and cheers to teachers!  You did it! If you’re reading this, you survived teaching through a pandemic—uncharted waters. Our appreciation and admiration goes out to you beyond words. All the things you had in place through your education and experience were like a “table cloth trick” yanked away for you to try to keep everything in place on the table with your students learning.  Now another school year is in the books!

If you got used to virtual learning/teaching, not so fast, you will more than likely return to your more familiar in-person teaching if you haven’t already.  Your rhythms and routines have changed back and forth. Like a chameleon, you have adapted and made it work.

Teachers, The old McDonald’s commercial jingle said, “You deserve a break today…” If anyone has deserved it, it is you!

Here are a few tips to put your school year in the past and enjoy a summer of relaxation and de-stressing:

• Treat yourself –You are a survivor and this is an act of self-care.  This may mean going to your local ice cream place and splurging on your favorite sundae or purchasing that pair of shoes you’ve had your eye on.
• Read a good book – Your time off is a great time to enjoy a book by the pool, on a beach, or on a hammock in the backyard.  Your escape to another time or another place through reading distracts you from daily stressors.
• Exercise – Go to your neighborhood gym to do your favorite work-out or join a session of fun classes.  Keeping your body fit through exercise will release endorphins that improve your physical and emotional being.
• Get away from the routines and schedules – If your time and resources can’t afford an out-of-town vacation, spend a night away at a hotel or bed and breakfast.  Take a day trip to a great state park or water park.
• Make memories – Be intentional about going to lunch with friends and about having fun with children and/or grandchildren.  Now is the time, because it slips away so quickly.
• Revive an old hobby – Creativity through writing helps to manage emotions.  Creativity through drawing and painting expresses emotions.  Music is therapeutic in relaxation.

The pandemic took its toll.  If your emotional health is in serious jeopardy, please seek out a good counselor to work through this.  You are valuable, teacher. Your self-care is important to students and parents alike.  Have a blast during this much needed summer break!