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Energy Tips for TeachersEnergy tips for teachers are something those of us who teach everyday can really use. There is no doubt about it, teaching takes a lot of energy. I think it is like performing in a Broadway play each day. You prepare and then you give it your all when you teach. To see how much energy we use each day we just need to think back on how relaxed and refreshed we feel after a school vacation. I know we always comment to each other how great we all look after summer break Because our students' success depends on the energy we bring to teaching, we really need to find ways to tap into the sources of our energy. What do we rely on day after day, year after year, to give us the energy to teach?
First, there are the obvious energy tips, exercising and eating well, but they are not always the easiest to do when the pace of the school year picks up. However I know when I am not being careful in these two areas, especially exercise, I feel tired and more irritable.
Getting regular exercise really does boost your energy level. You need to find the time, place, and type of exercise that works for you. I used to get frustrated if I couldn't work out for a specific length of time but then I realized that even a 20 minute walk was better than no exercise at all.
Two ways to stay committed to working out regularly are to do a variety of exercise activities, and to have either someone you workout, with or check-in with, to stay on track.
Some fitness clubs do offer discounts for teachers so this may be a motivator if that is the atmosphere that works for you.
Do you know the significance of the number 10,800 in education? No, it is not the number of students you will have taught. It is the approximate number of birthday cupcakes you will have eaten (or been offered) throughout your teaching career. Trying to avoid sweets at school can be challenging.
I also find that sometimes when my energy is low I turn to food for a boost and it isn't usually a piece of fruit that I grab. We just need to have an awareness of how our diet can either give us energy or drain our energy.
Another obvious tip is getting enough sleep. This can also be challenging when you have not only the demands of teaching but of caring for others outside of school. Research is showing that we are more and more sleep deprived as we try to keep up with the demands on our time. If you are starting the day sleep deprived already imagine what you will feel like by mid-afternoon.
While these tips seem so basic, the demands of our jobs and life outside of work make it difficult at times to exercise, eat well, and get enough sleep. Just a little planning ahead, and being aware of how these three areas affect our energy and our teaching, will make a difference.
Keeping our body healthy will also help us resist all those germs we come into contact with. You know if you get sick then besides not feeling well you'll have to do those dreaded sub plans when you can't go to work! Remember, you need to take care of yourself before you can effectively take care of others. Click on the links below for some more specific ideas on how teachers can maximize their energy.
Sources of Energy for Teachers
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 What Educators Say
"This is a site I come back to time and again for great tips on how to keep the balance in my life and keep on track toward achieving my goals."
"Great strategies for managing my day and interacting with students." "I find great tips here all the time on strategies for helping my students. Also, there are some money tips that I have used to help me make the most of my salary." |
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