I just finished my first week of school and I. Am. Exhausted. How about you?
Thankfully, Labor Day weekend came to my rescue. But even if you don’t have a long weekend to recover, here are some tips to help you rest and reset for another busy week.
1 – Make a list of all the things that went well this past week. It’s so easy to focus on all the things we need to do or finish or change. But we rarely take the time to think about all that went well. You could list things that went well in your classroom but also think about making a list of all the things that went well outside of school. Did you go to bed on time? Keep up with laundry? Pack a healthy lunch every day? Work out every day? Be proud of yourself for everything you did well!
2- Get some sleep. Go to bed earlier, sleep later, take a nap. Sleep when you feel the need to sleep. You will be much more productive during your waking hours if you get the sleep you need.
3 – Get as much fresh air as possible. Spend some time outside, take a walk, sit on a porch or a deck. Just take time to breathe and enjoy looking at nature.
4 – Develop a self-care plan for the upcoming week. Can you get up 15 minutes earlier and enjoy some time to yourself in the morning? Can you plan to go to bed extra early one night next week? Can you plan your workouts or trips to the gym or barre studio? Can you do any meal prep to make healthy eating an easier option during the week? Can you plan what days you might work later and what days you might leave school earlier?
5 – Similar to a self-care plan, can you come up with a morning routine that makes you happy? Even spending just a few minutes stretching, meditating, reading or praying can impact your mood and outlook for the day.
6 – Say no. If someone wants you to do something you do not want to do, just say no. Or readjust their request to something that you feel like you can do or that you want to do. Now is not the time to meet everyone else’s needs. You need to take care of yourself!
7 – Spend time with people you love and who lift your spirits.
8 – Go see a movie, watch TV, or catch up on favorite Netflix shows. Allow yourself to zone out.
9 – Read a great book that has nothing to do with school or with education. Get lost in another world!
10 – Reach out to friends you haven’t seen in a while. A text message counts!
11 – Get a manicure, a pedicure (or both!), a massage, or take a bubble bath.
12 – Enjoy some meditation and/or prayer time.
I hope these tips have given you some ideas for how to refocus and get some mental and physical rest. Your work matters and you matter! Take care of yourself.
Do you want more guidance with resetting your classroom? I’m creating a mini-course with more step-by-step tips. Sign up for the waiting list HERE and I will notify you when it’s ready! (Signing up does not obligate you in any way.)