WATstaff

The Teacher Report: How to Decompress From the School Year

by WAT Staff on 06-07-2011 10:21 AM - last edited on 06-08-2011 01:52 PM by Community Manager


You made it!  (Or, if you live in one of those places where the school year runs late, you've almost made it!).  Now it's time to get some much needed r & r so you can be refreshed and ready for next year.  Here are a few of our best decompression tips.

 

  1. Start Early.  Put together a few stress-management lesson plans and teach relaxation and stress management to your students at the end of the school year.  They'll learn something and you'll get a jump-start on your decompression. 

  2. Take a break from technology.  We know, we know, logging off of Facebook is like checking out of life.  But, turning off your iPhone and logging off email ---even if it's just for just a few hours—can give your mind time to clear and help ease you into relaxation mode.

  3. Do Your Research. Research and test out a variety of relaxation techniques and test them out to see what's best for you.

  4. Treat Yourself to a Spa Day.  One of the best ways to decompress is to get away from it all and really focus on relaxation.  (Bonus:  Check this website as it features spa discounts for teachers or call up your local spa to see if they do any end-of-year educator specials… many do!)

  5. Read.  You've spent the entire year reading lesson plans and books about education… why not pick up an indulgent novel or two and read just for fun?

  6. Connect with other teachers.  You've been through a lot with your fellow teachers—and only they can understand how you're feeling right now.  Head out to coffee with one of your teacher buddies or log on to a teacher forum and chat about your plans for the summer.   

 

Question for you:  How do you decompress after a long school year?