There’s a reason I haven’t posted a new blog in a while. It’s winter term which means we have 10 solid weeks of teaching without any breaks. Also, students are completing their first work samples and are often frustrated, confused, and totally stressed out. Many students are falling ill. Professors and student teachers look a little bit frazzled and are more prone to having a short temper. In a nutshell, we could use a little more sunshine outside and inside of our building!
Despite this situation, how do we stay fresh? How do we keep balance in our lives? I’m feeling like a work horse: work, sleep, work, sleep… and I know our students are feeling it too. After conducting some informal research online, I’ve found some stress reduction techniques that are suggested for teachers.
One technique is to work smart. Keep your materials organized so you can more efficiently use your time. Last weekend I came to work on a Sunday and reorganized my entire office. It felt amazing, and now I can walk in and get right down to work.
Another technique is to be conscious of our thinking process. We can easily let our thinking spiral in a negative direction. Acknowledge the negative thinking, do some deep breathing, and allow yourself to be open to a more positive message. Also, avoid spending time with people who complain and worry. Seek out peers who are enthusiastic and are able to enjoy their teaching despite the workload.
The last technique that I’ll share is to take a minute or so each day to marvel at something beautiful. Maybe you see an older couple holding hands and laughing- that’s a beautiful sight! Maybe you take pleasure in seeing the kids play on the playground- volunteer for recess duty! In the winter, I like to admire the bare “bones” of the landscape. It’s worth taking a look. It’s also really easy to bird watch in the winter. I have been seeing hawks everyday! Beauty is all around us and it feels refreshing to look.
My own piece of advice for our students is to understand that your first work sample is much more challenging than the next one. You’re getting your feet wet and learning so much through the process. Be gentle and kind to yourself right now. You’ll reap the benefits of this hard work next term and for the rest of your career as a teacher!
