When I was making my new years resolutions last year, I certainly did not plan on cancelling my holiday plans and spending most of the year in my house, however that is exactly what the year 2020 had planned for all of us. Thankfully, we are at the better end of the year and I am sure you are all looking forward to the Summer break as much as I am. Our Christmas and New Year’s season may look a little different this year to usual, no overseas travel, no international visitors and perhaps the purse strings are a little tighter than we would like, however there is one thing nobody can doubt, we have all earned a well-deserved break.
As educators this time of year is so important for you to take time for you, however that looks! For some of us, it may mean staying in bed for a week straight binge-watching Netflix series and eating our body weight in chocolate, for others this may mean going for a run and then doing yoga religiously every morning. Whatever it is that makes you feel happy and relaxed, now is the time to do it, and to enjoy it! This time of year can be really frantic for us all, however it is called the Summer holidays for a reason. Remember to actually take a holiday, even if it is only in your back yard this year.
So, here are our top tips for keeping sane over the silly season, and to ensure you are returning to the classroom in 2021, relaxed, refreshed and ready to tackle the year.
1. Take me time. Enjoy your own company whether that is with a wine in the sun, or a book in the shade.
2. Spend time with your kids. The holidays are times when life-long memories can be made. Take the time to do fun things and make special memories with your little ones.
3. Go and visit friends. Filling up our social cup is so important for our mental wellbeing. Friends are the family you choose right?
4. Catch up on your life admin. Have you updated your address with your insurance company?
5. Spring clean your home. Having a clean space helps your mind to be clear and focussed, take the time now to clean out the linen cupboard.
6. Sleep in! We know those 6am starts are rough, turn your alarm off and don’t turn it back on until school starts again.
7. Say no. Remember that me time I mentioned earlier? It really is okay to say no and decline social invites. This is your holiday, and you should (and need to) spend it how you want to.
8. Shake it up. You really don’t have to make the roast turkey for Christmas lunch if you don’t want to. 2021 may just be the year to change our traditions and start new ones.
9. Meditate. Seriously. Have you tried it yet? There are a lot of free mindfulness Apps that you can try. It takes a bit of practice but has proven to have a serious impact on our mental health.
10. Take the time to reset. Somewhere in your holiday break, schedule in a couple of ‘work days’. Whether that is organising or buying more stationary, coming up with some new lesson plans or strategies, try and do a little preparing to help you ease into the new school year a little easier.
From all of us at Toi Toi Recruitment, we hope you have a wonderful holiday break and enjoy spending time with your loved ones. Stay safe.. and sane.
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