You unplugged your mini-fridge and your printer, you are ready for summer, but are you able to unplug yourself? Just because the calendar says summer vacation, turning off the mental to-do lists and "undone" items on the to-do list can continue to keep us up at night. The first article points out that a teachers make up four decisions in one minute. Many teachers I know arrive early, leave late, and don't take time to sit down to even finish their lunch. Here's a little test to gauge work/life balance... From September to December has your extended family and friends all but stopped contacting you because you are so busy with your students?
Teaching is like a play. Most are familiar with the performance but don't realize the countless resources, time and money that goes on before the curtains open and the audience (students) walk through the doors. So no wonder it's tough to slow things down and take the break that we need to rethink, reflect and reconnect with our support system of family and friends. http://www.teachingquality.org/content/blogs/tricia-ebner/downshifting
The second article disccusses why it's important to unplug and gives suggestions on how to unwind.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201006/the-importance-vacations-our-physical-and-mental-health
Cheers to all you wonderful teachers. It takes a couple of weeks to wind down but it's really important to recharge and replenish. Changing lives and making a difference is amazingly rewarding and important work but so is leading a balanced life. I guess I'd better go then and enjoy our block full of kiddos laughing and playing outside on a beautifully balmy evening. Happy summer, happy balance.
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