Logging Out to Recharge: A reflection on a holistic approach to limit teacher burnout

It's only the third week of the school year and I'm feeling ALL sorts of emotions. Happy because I made it through the first two weeks of school. Relieved and grateful because I FINALLY have a working air-conditioner in my classroom. PHYSICALLY tired from walking around the classroom to ensure my students are on track. Mentally AND emotionally tired from dealing with the different emotional needs from my sixth grade students. 

If this is how I am feeling on the THIRD week of school, will I even make it to mid-semester? To the end of the semester? To the end of the FULL school year?

We all experience teacher burn out differently. Some of us may not even realize that we are feeling "burnt out." I truly enjoy teaching but I do not enjoy the burn out. I enjoy my students but I tend to feel as if my social and decision making batteries are at 10% by the end of the school day. 

My question I always ask myself is this, what can I do to charge up my batteries so I can ensure I am the teacher I want to be or even the overall human being I want to be? What are the things that I enjoy doing OUTSIDE of being a teacher?

Often times, I find that a more holistic approach helps me best. A nice yoga class is my moment for myself. One hour of intentional movement, of mindfulness, of honesty, and so much more. Although I do teach yoga (outside of being a middle school teacher), it's always great to be the yogi student. I tend to gravitate towards outdoor classes with a gentle flow. Being outdoors is refreshing after spending almost an entire school day inside a classroom. The gentleness of a flow is needed to reward myself from a hard day. 

Photo taken after a yoga class at Rihga Hotel, Guam. 

Find short moments to be present. Photo taken at a yoga class down at The Yoga Garden Santa Rita, Guam.

A second holistic approach I try to participate in to recharge is a sound bath meditation. This is a moment where participants immerse themselves in the sounds being produced from various instruments, such as singing bowls, chimes, drums, and gongs...just to name a few. I attended my second sound bath meditation recently with Ina Wellness Collective Guam and it give goosebumps and it allowed me to let go of the worries from work.              

   

"Inner Balance Meditation" with Ina Wellness Collective Guam

One of the first things the teacher would say is "we are all coming from different days but take this moment to be present here on your mat. Log out from any applications you may have in your head and be here in this very moment." Having this moment allows me to let go and after a good savasana, I come back to my body feeling recharged and rejuvenated. 

So with that being said...what are ways you can unplug and recharge? 

Namaste.