Get the details for this challenge here!
Today we're getting together to share ideas for maintaining balance during the school year. I know right now we're all loving life - being on break and all, but pretty soon, we'll be at 150mph and we're all going to be exhausted. So, what do you do to stay sane? Here's how I take care of myself during the busy busy times.
Sleep
I don't ever give up sleep. Hektor makes so much fun of me for going to bed at 9pm, but I do, almost religiously. I get up around 5:30 every day, so 10pm is my latest for work. I've always loved sleeping, and I don't give it up no matter how busy I am!
Food Prep
I feel best when I'm eating well, so the weeks that I make time to prep a week's worth of lunches, I do so much better. I could eat various versions of Chicken Salads for weeks - months even, and I did during the spring semester. It just takes so much work and time - the grocery shopping and then prepping everything. But, it makes my life so much easier all week long!
Exercise
First yoga: I love yoga, but I haven't gone for the longest time until just yesterday. I tried out a new studio - Zen Yoga Garage - and it was amazeballs. I love hot yoga, and especially when meditative in practice. Some of the classes are like crazy intense with weights and stuff, but I'd rather get on my mat, let the rest of the world go, and not think for 60 minutes. I love the classes (like Saturday's) when there was incense going and we focused on our breathing and our intent (mine: let go of judgment) and just were present with no technology, no dramas, nothing. I find this to be extremely helpful for the rest of my world!
Running: I've been doing such a great job with my Couch to 5K app - I am making progress if I run every day consistently. I like the feeling I have after it's over, but I actually am not a huge fan of running (actually, of exercise in general, if I'm being honest.) But, as my bff says, "You don't have to want to do it, you just have to do it." So for now at least, I'm going. I just need to keep it up when school starts. Any tips for this? Exercise is always the first thing I let go!
I say yes selectively
There's lots to do when you're a teacher. You all know, lots. Actually, too much. So all the things I say yes to, I think long and hard about whether or not I'll do it. Life is too short to be doing things that make you stressed or angry. My rule of thumb is always asking for a night to think about things before I commit. I tell myself it's okay to take 12-24 hours to get back to people. Stress comes when you're trying to do things too fast. When I step away, I almost always get clarity, and I can make the best decisions for me. Bottom line: I'm choosy about what I say yes to. You should be too!
Social Calendar
I love having things to look forward to! I always like to plan things, whether that's a date night, trying out a new restaurant, a long weekend, or a vacation, keeping my calendar full is super important to me. And, I mean events for me personally, but also happy hours with teachers from school. It helps so much to get out of the building and have some chips and salsa (and margaritas) and just catch up with one another. This is especially helpful during the worst time of year - for me, it's the cold, dreary days of January - March. Whether it's for personal or work-related events, I love to keep things on the calendar to get me through the busy weeks we experience!
What about you? Please share how you keep your teacher balance! Looking forward to your ideas!
Looks like we have several ways in common to maintain balance. :) I agree that meal planning and exercise make ALL the difference!
ReplyDeleteOne Lucky Teacher
Great post! I am a HUGE fan of C25K - I have never been able to run, but after completing that program two summers ago running has been a staple in my life. I have my first half-marathon coming up this weekend, and my first full will be the Chicago Marathon in October!
ReplyDeleteMy biggest tip for keeping up with running once school starts up is to establish it as part of your morning routine. Lay out your running clothes the night before (actually, I often slept in mine to make it that much easier to get out the door in the morning), have your shoes/ earbuds/ phone/ ipod/ whatever you run with handy, and get out the door. It's a great way to start out the day, and you won't be tempted to skip it after work when you are spent.
Also, if you haven't signed up for any races yet, do it! Knowing you have a race coming up will motivate you to stay on track. Keep us posted!
Yes, Erica I see a common theme here. We should keep track of each other and see how we're doing periodically throughout the year! #accountability
ReplyDeleteBalance...I haven't mastered that yet. This year I need to keep up with exercise.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great list. I like to walk, not so fond of running. I find that if I'm persistent (which I haven't been for a couple years now) that after I get into a groove with walking, running starts to be more appealing. I want to do a 5K in August. I am pushing for an average of 15 min/mile. Right now I'm still at 16 1/2 minute/mile though, so it might be a hard push. I'm so jealous of your food organization! Wow!
ReplyDeleteSuch good advice. I'm going to have to transition to this 9:00 bedtime this year, and I'm not sure how I'll be able to do it. Right now, it's more like 1:00 or 2:00... so I should probably start working on this now. I tried that couch to 5K app last summer and couldn't even do day one. I'm so mad at myself for letting myself fall so far off the exercise wagon when I stopped Zumba. I probably could have easily done a 5K back without training back then. I did take a Zumba class with a friend last week and survived the class, but I don't think it was very challenging. I need to get back into a groove!
ReplyDeleteI just read your post after writing a blog post myself about school committees. I tend to say yes to everything and then end up overwhelmed. I like your idea of taking 12-24 hours to think about it before committing. I am going to borrow that!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your points on sleep, exercise, and keeping a social calendar help with teacher balance! I love your ideas on how to say yes selectively! I think keeping my calendar organized and planning my days also helps me maintain balance so that I know when I am busy and when I am free for me! :)
ReplyDeleteRebecca
http://literacywithmrsl.blogspot.com/