Taking Care of Yourself

August is now closing and with it the beginning of the school year is turning into the regular days that make up 2012-13. As the long weekend approaches, it would be a good time to take care of yourself. It is time to think of how you are going to take care of yourself so you can be the best teacher you can be. By promoting your own personal well being, you will in turn imporve your teaching.  Here are a few ideas you can do for yourself and share with your students.

Be thankful every day for at least three consecutive days. Keep a "Three Good Things Journal" to record three things that go well each day and what you think caused it. It will amaze you at how much happier you will be at the end of those three days!

Make time to laugh. Schedule times for laughter and then laugh during those times whether you feel like it or not! If you need reasons to laugh, here are a few: go to a funny movie, listen to a comedian, make funny noises with your dog. Give yourself permission to laugh.

Make room for exercise. Research has shown that exercise relieves stress. If you aren't already doing so, consider a more extensive program of exercise outside of school.

Sustaining greatness as a teacher means taking good care of yourself.
What are you doing for yourself? What else might you do?

These ideas were taken from: When Teaching Gets Tough by Allen N. Mendler.
Have a great Labor Day weekend!