Technology makes our lives easier. As
a teacher, instead of carrying thick notebooks and tons of paper all the time,
you get to bring a laptop with all your work contained within this sleek
machine. You can work remotely, your mobile phone reminds you of all your
deadlines, and offers a myriad of teacher apps to help you do your job in the
best possible way.
However, the fact that we can now
always access our work with comfort and that we're always available and
connected can make us workaholics who will eventually face a burnout. In fact,
teachers are at a very high risk to suffer a burn-out, as studies
show.
That is why it is so important to
disconnect once in a while, and holidays are a perfect opportunity. Silencing
your devices is an essential part of real relaxation.
Here are several tips on how to
disconnect and relax this holiday.
Limit social networking
Socal networks will be the biggest
reason you'll feel the craving to spend time in front of your screen even on
your holiday. If your Facebook is mostly work-related, with most of your contacts
perhaps being your old students, colleagues, and teaching related pages, consider
logging out for a while.
Only you can know how much the time
spent on social networks stresses you out. If you're feeling down, nervous or
ruminating about work on your holiday after a Facebook session, consider
blocking Facebook, either partially or entirely. There are several
ways to go about it.
Limit your phone use
Staying away from your laptop won't do
anything for your well-being if you don't limit your phone usage as well. Turn
off notifications from your (working) email and social networking apps. You
don't have to turn the phone off altogether of course. If you're really
addicted, consider one of those parenting apps that limit the time spent on your phone.
Escape to nature
Nothing heals modern woes better than
getting in touch with pristine nature. You could pick a peaceful nature park to settle calmly into. Contact with nature and witnessing
beautiful landscapes truly heals. "Forest
bathing", a practice that originated in Japan, is becoming
increasingly popular and is even being prescribed by doctors.
If you happen to pick a place where
internet connection is limited - that's even better.
Consider getting a pocket guide to
plants, birds, or insects of the area your planning to visit. The scientific
approach to discovering your surroundings actually facilitates connection with
nature for some!
Mindfulness and meditation
Practicing relaxing breathing
exercises, mindfulness, and meditation goes hand-in-hand with a disconnected,
nature holiday perfectly. In fact, some people won't be able to relax until
they start actively working on relaxation. Consider getting one or a couple of
good books on the topic to bring with you.
There is this common assumption that
teachers are privileged because they get to take three months off to go on a
holiday. People so easily forget that teachers work hard throughout the year, and
don't have the resources to waste time. No business lunches, no business trips,
no checking Facebook during working hours. Every job has its perks, and you
don't need to work on your teaching vacation in order to show that you're a
worthy member of a community. You've done your part. You've done your best and
worked hard to deserve this. And you do. So relax, unwind, and take this time to just be.
