Back to school and self-care for teachers

     So the summer has come and gone and I hope that you enjoyed time away from school. Perhaps you chilled out by the pool, at the beach, or maybe you simply enjoyed spending time at home on a "Staycation" where you took in the sights and sounds of your own town. Whatever you chose to do this summer, I hope it was well spent. Now it's time to get back into the swing of things. And isn't it funny how stores like Walmart start putting out school supplies the day after the Fourth of July? When I walk in there and see school supplies being placed in the center of the store, I put my hands up to my face like Macauley Culkin did in the movie Home Alone and just shake my head standing there thinking "Nooooooooo...I'M NOT READY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, PUT THOSE SCHOOL SUPPLIES BACK IN STORAGE!!!!!" But as the saying goes "it is what it is"...so here we are in August headed back to school. 
     Whether you are a returning teacher or if this is your first year in the classroom, the anxiety and preparation that goes into getting ready for the first day of school is something that both groups of teachers have in common. While countless articles and blog posts offer great ideas for lessons and activities that play a vitale role in setting the tone for learning as well as student achievement, what is also of high importance is the need for teachers to make sure that self-care is a priority. During my years as a teacher I remember the adrenaline rush that came over me as I spent long hours at school decorating my classroom, planning lessons, and writing my Welcome Letter to parents/guardians so that I could hit the ground running on day one. In the pace of getting things ready for my students, I found it difficult to get a good night's rest because I would be thinking about the long list of things I needed to do back at school. I also didn't take time to eat or if I did grab a bite to eat it was usually later in the day; because after all, I needed to get my classroom ready for the start of school right? In theory I was sabotaging my own self-care instead of finding that balance between school preparation and taking care of myself. 
     Of course as the school year got underway things balanced out, but there were still those times that I would go back to those unhealthy sleep and eating habits that I practiced before the start of school. So I want to share some reminders that you can refer to throughout the school year:
1. Get a good night's rest.  The National Sleep Foundation suggest that adults get between 7-9 hours of 
   sleep per night.
2. Eat 3 meals a day. Make sure that you include fruits/vegetables in your meals.
3. Exercise. Go for a morning walk/run. This can be done in the evenings if mornings don't work for you.
4. Unplug from technology. Cut off the computers and smartphones so you can take time to mentally           recharge and get your mind right.
5. Remember your purpose. Politics and workplace gossip can impact the morale of the school; a word of
   caution...steer clear of chronic complainers and fault finders. Keep your focus on the main purpose...the
    STUDENTS.
     These are just a few suggestions that you may consider throughout the school year. Remember you owe it to yourself so that you can be your best each and everyday....I hope you have a wonderful school year! Now go out there and be GREAT!!!!!!!!