Take Care of Yourself!

I’m not sure about you, but every Friday afternoon I pack my work bag with tasks to do over the weekend, and every Monday morning I unpack the bag basically looking the same. Between errands, family obligations and now holiday shopping/gift wrapping, there was just no time for those extra work-related tasks I could have done, which would have made my life easier.  Then there is a twinge of guilt, but I realize that if I didn’t have those few hours to take care of my life, I would lose my mental well-being balance.

And now it’s time to pack your school bag for the holiday break. A suggestion: don’t make that bag too heavy! Leave some of that school work right where it belongs–at school. I know many will take home grading, grades to be entered and possible lesson plans for the week of January 4, but try and think twice before you load that bag. Educators’ jobs are so demanding that sometimes (not intentionally), your family takes the back seat to your time. With that in mind, I hope you can take the next few weeks to focus on YOU: your health, your state-of-mind and your family.  ‘Tis the season to not only be jolly but to enjoy the here-and-now moments.

So think about putting down your phone (no emails or texts), and enjoy those around you–those who give you joy and nurture your inner self. By taking care of yourself over the break, hopefully you will be more ready to tackle the second semester challenges: intense interventions, testing and, of course, winter weather.