By GEDIT
After an academic year of heavy workloads, educators will want to savor every moment of summer break. Classrooms this year presented just as many challenges as the years before with educators trying to make up for learning loss and support students despite a lack of resources and often limited financial support.
Post-pandemic, there have been widespread reports of teacher shortages and recent data shows that a record number of teachers have left or are looking to leave the classroom permanently. Since 2021, there has been a similar increase in teacher turnover with percentages ranging from 11–15% in states such as Louisiana, North Carolina, Maryland, and Washington. Burnout and frustration are common feelings across the education sector right now. While much of it won’t be solved without robust administerial action and support, educators must make the most of their time off work.
The long summer days are for switching off and taking time to unwind and we have the perfect list of steps teachers (and even students!) can take to practice mindfulness and boost awareness to make the most of every moment.
1. Guided breathing
Summer break is a great time to build new habits that will not only transform your personal life but will continue to benefit you once you are back in the classroom. In recent years, a number of studies have shown that paced breathing “is associated with relaxation and well-being.” It’s funny that the thing we think about least (breathing!) is unarguably the most crucial to our life and mental state.
Although it can take months (or even years) to cultivate optimal breathing habits, summer break is the perfect time to start incorporating breathwork into your daily routine so that it comes to you naturally when you return to the classroom. The article below by Everyday Health provides seven fantastic exercises for beginners that can reduce stress, enhance mental clarity, and boost energy. Each of these potential benefits will help you meet the challenges of the classroom with more patience and enthusiasm. So check out the exercises below and give them a try.
2. Journaling
Having a place to write your thoughts and record your memories can alleviate stress and boost good mood and gratitude. It doesn’t have to be an expensive journal––a simple notebook or piece of paper will do––and you can use it however you like. It is yours to personalize and even when you’re back in the classroom, pieces of your summer break contemplation will remain on and among those pages.
Reflect on the last year by asking yourself the following questions:
What went well in the classroom last year?
What could I have done better?
What were three big lessons I learned?
What approaches worked best with my students?
What was the biggest challenge I encountered in the classroom last year?
Did the school year end how I wanted it to?
What am I proud of?
Set personal and professional goals for the upcoming year. Ask yourself what you’d like to achieve in and outside the classroom. Create a ‘Goals’ section in your journal and refer back to it now and then, updating it with progress or setbacks. All of this is crucial to keeping those goals alive and not forgetting your list when you are caught up in schoolwork and classroom chaos.
3. Mindful Pause
The mindful pause is a powerful exercise that allows you to harness the moment and extricate yourself from anxiety and stress. It’s as simple as stopping what you’re doing, taking a few deep breaths, and making yourself more aware of the present moment. By doing this consistently, you can reaffirm your place in the world and instill an almost instant relaxation response.
Try doing mindful pauses throughout the day and see how it improves mood, reduces stress, and enhances focus and concentration. Summer break is the perfect time to incorporate such practices into your routine because you’ll be more likely to turn to them once you’re back in the classroom.
There is no doubt that educators across the country have faced enormous pressures in the last year. In the face of these challenges, we hope some (or all) of these exercises will help to refresh you before the new school year begins. Each of these exercises is designed to impact you in the long term so do try them out…and hey, you may even wish to share them with students when you’re back in the classroom!
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