Do you also feel overwhelmed and exhausted because of all the social interactions during your workday at school?

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As I am surrounded by my teenage students all day, I used to feel extremely exhausted in the evening. During my morning and lunch break, I used to spend all my time with my colleagues, as I wanted to hang out and chat with them. I didn’t want to miss anything. It took me some time to realize that I can’t be surrounded by people non-stop during the whole day. I used to come home and feel depleted.

 

I knew I had to change something but didn’t know what, as I couldn’t change the fact that I am surrounded by people all the time at work. But, I then figured out a way to get some real mini breaks to myself during my work day:

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1. During the lesson: Go quickly to the room with the printer and close your eyes. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Repeat this 3 times. (If you’d like to read more about quick & easy breathing techniques to help you relax, go here.)

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2. During the morning break: Have a coffee with your fellows – however, go back to your classroom 3-5 minutes before the break is over, sit down, close your eyes, and relax your face.

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3. During the lunch break: After having lunch with your colleagues, take a 5-10 minute walk outside and breathe in the fresh air. Or if it is raining, open the window, close your eyes, and listen.

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Incorporating these mini breaks into your day can help your mind feel more relaxed and at ease. Automatically you will feel more energized, making it easier to handle the demands of teaching. Do you have any favorite mini breaks? Share them with me!