Introduction
If you’re a teacher, you know that there are days when it feels like there’s never enough time in the day to get everything done. You could use more hours in the day, but that’s not an option. So how can you learn to cope with extra work and burnout? Here are some tips and innovative teaching methods and strategies that may help:
Allow yourself to feel tired and burned out.
- Allow yourself to feel tired. Teachers work hard, and burnout is a real thing. Don’t be ashamed of feeling tired!
- Take time for yourself, even if it means getting up 10 minutes earlier than usual to do so. Don’t worry about what other people think.
Set limits on work.
Setting limits for yourself is a good way to stay on track. You should also set time limits for each task, so you can estimate how long it will take you to accomplish your goals. If you have too many tasks at once, it may not be easy to finish them all on time and satisfactorily.
Instead, choose one or two important projects that are urgent and come first on the list of priorities.
Once the work is completed, reward yourself with some rest and relaxation. It’s important not only because it helps reduce stress levels but also because it allows us to recharge our mental batteries.
Read this amazing blog on mental stress-buster activities for teachers and try them out for yourself.
Sleep better at night.
Get better sleep at night. It’s a bit of a no-brainer, but if you’re not getting enough sleep, it can be difficult to keep up with all the extra work being asked of teachers these days.
The best thing you can do is get at least six hours of good-quality sleep every night. If that doesn’t happen, try setting the alarm for an hour earlier each morning so that you can have time for some relaxation before heading to school.
If getting up early is unavoidable, try making sure that your room is as dark and quiet as possible when it’s time for bed so that your body knows it needs to go into “resting mode,” which will help ensure sound slumber.
Prioritize your mental health.
It’s important to remember that teachers are humans, too. Teachers need to take time for themselves, just as students do. When we’re tired or stressed out, it can be easy to fall into a negative spiral. Instead of allowing this downward trend to continue, make sure you don’t neglect your mental health by setting aside time for yourself—even if it’s just half an hour every day or every week.
Take up a hobby such as reading or drawing; go for a walk in nature; spend time with friends and family; listen to music that makes you feel good; take baths (with candles and bath bombs); write in your journal about what’s going on in your life right now–whatever works best for you!
Take proper breaks during the school day.
Using a timer is a great way to make sure you never forget to take your breaks. If you’re feeling particularly stressed, give yourself an extra 10 or 15 minutes in the middle of the day to do some deep breathing and stretch out.
This will help clear your mind and refresh you so that when it’s time for class again, you’ll be ready with an energy boost. Don’t forget that even teachers need time away from their desks!
Bring healthy snacks and water to school.
- This is one of the greatest teaching methods and strategies and methods that many teachers are unaware of. If you bring and eat healthy snacks, it can make your day much easier and less stressful.
- Secondly, water is important for hydration, so make sure there are plenty of bottles available at all times during the school year as well!
Get ready for the day before you go to work.
One of the most innovative teaching methods to boost your energy and mental clarity is to get ready for the day before you go to work.
Set out your clothes, pack your lunch and ensure you have everything you need for class. If any tasks can be done in advance (like making photocopies or filing papers), do them too. The more organized and prepared you are when arriving at school, the better equipped you’ll be to face whatever surprises may come your way later on in the week.
Remember, you can find time to relax without sacrificing your students’ needs.
It’s absolutely vital for teachers to take care of themselves so that they can be there for their students in the long run. But how? The first step is being honest with yourself about what makes you feel drained, whether that’s grading papers or having too much on your plate at home (or both).
Here’s what Ms Neha, a teacher at MGD Girls Public School, shares, “when I’m stressed out by one thing or another, I try my best not only not to resist these feelings but actually welcome them. I move on to the next step: making time for myself without sacrificing anything related directly to my job.”
Conclusion
Of course, there’s no magic formula for finding balance. We all have different needs and expectations of what we’ll be able to do at work. But if you’re looking for relief from the pressures of teaching, these tips should help get you started on the right track!
