Tuesday, August 26, 2014

“Back to School: Tips to Enhance a Great School Year!”


 
 
Now that the school year has begun, it can be hard for all of us to get back into the groove of things. Ten weeks off is a long time to set different habits, but now that the school year is here, let’s form new ones that can break our “vacation” minds and kick off the school year right. Here are some tips I found online that can help all of us this coming year.

1.      Set a consistent schedule for yourself and for your students: Consistency and routines are very important to help keep your body in a balanced state. Try setting a regimented schedule and stick to it. Write it down in a place that you can see and have immediate access to, The adaptation process will become easier.

2.        Come to work each day prepared: All teachers have experienced on one or more occasions being unprepared for the day, resulting in stress, anxiety, and panic. The best solution is to plan ahead. Completing lesson plans a week in advance is one way to achieve this goal. Be sure to have all your supplies readily available. This will allow you to be more successful during planning. These few steps will help create free time throughout your week.

3.        Sanitize the classroom to create a germ free environment: When school starts it is common for teachers and students to become sick. Children's bodies harvest viruses and bacteria that are easily contracted. Washing your hands often helps in preventing the spread of bacteria. A great back to school tip is creating a classroom cleaning schedule. Schedule one day out of the week to clean. Plan to sanitize tables, door handles, and countertops daily to prevent illness from occurring. Nothing can be more bothersome then coming down with a cold or flu virus.
 
4.     Healthy Eating: Of course I’d say this, I’m a nurse. Healthy eating enhances the mind and the body. There are a variety of ways of incorporating a healthy diet into a busy work day. Eating several small meals five to six times a day will help you stay full and keep your metabolism from dropping. Due to the fact that your day is so hectic, making a drawer in your desk just for snacks helps you to achieve the proper sustenance needed to complete the day. Try finding foods that are high in fiber and protein such as fruits and nuts. When your body has nourishment, you are more energized, able to concentrate, and able to listen more effectively.
 
5.    Exercise Regularly:  Studies show that exercising releases endorphins that give the body that feel good high. It helps increase energy levels that keep you from getting tired and sluggish midway through your work day.

6.    Make time for you: This is the most imperative health tip to follow. Teaching requires a huge portion of your    time, energy, and emotion, which can be mentally and physically draining. If you do not set aside some quiet time for yourself, you can experience burn-out very quickly. Take about an hour to two hours each day to rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. Whether you choose to read, meditate, or take a bath with candles, it is important to revitalize your inner being. If you want to stay healthy, make it a priority to put YOU first.
 

The most important thing is having a positive mindset. Teachers constantly need to have high energy and be enthusiastic. In order to establish this energetic attitude, your thoughts must project a positive way of thinking. A great health tip to make this easier is to make a list of things that make you happy. It can be anything from words to inspirational quotes. Anytime you find yourself thinking negatively, refer to your list J
 
 

 
 
XoXo,
Rebecca



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