Reading this, you’re probably either a teacher or you know one. Welcome! You’d probably find it easier to stay happy by reducing your stress levels just about now.
I’ll tell you a bit about myself first, so that you can read this list with a grain of “everyone is unique in their situation” salt. I teach 2nd grade (gen-ed/all subjects) and I started teaching full-time in 2021.
After graduating college during the pandemic, I jumped straight into teaching. I was desperate to start making an income of my own. I skipped student teaching in exchange for a “paid internship”. Paid as a full-time teacher, I was teaching a full class all on my own, all while reporting to my college professor on my progress throughout the year.
It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. And it led me to being more depressed and anxious than I had ever been in my life.
I needed to find ways to stay happy, or I was going to go insane. Some things that have helped me are:
Honestly, at the beginning of the school year, each year, I still feel this way a lot. That is why I want to share these tools with you! Almost every teacher I know struggles with self-care for many reasons (time, stress, fatigue, and more). If we fail to take care of ourselves, then neither we nor our class will survive the year (to be dramatic).
1. Stop Working When You Leave.
Okay, I know that teaching is demanding beyond belief when it comes to the weekend and all evenings. We all get those emails at 9:00pm and those last-minute due dates. However – you need to set some boundaries.
During my first year, I felt guilty about leaving right when school ended, but I knew that if I stayed any longer than 4:00pm, I would lose hope in the rest of my day. I used to sneak to my car, hoping that no one else would see me and judge me for leaving “early” (many teachers will stay working until 5:00-6:00pm at school, and then work at home until 9:00 after that).
Now, I pack up, lock my classroom door, and march to my car by 4:00pm every day. No one has ever said anything negative to me about this, and it allows me to drive to the gym before the rush begins.
If you feel like this is impossible, here: just choose one hour each day that you are going to give back to yourself. It’s up to you how you spend that hour, but don’t work. Rest! Read a book, take a 20 minute nap and meditate, or go on a walk. The emails will still be there when you get back. You can get back to work after your break if you want, but you might even realize that the emails can wait until tomorrow.
2. Exercise – Just Get Moving
Everyone keeps talking about how important exercise is for your mental health.
That’s because it is! I promise, a good workout can reduce your stress from the day and give you some peace. Endorphins are real, and they work.
I find that focusing my mind on a workout in the evening helps me transition from work into my personal life. Here are a few ideas of what you can do:
- Walking is one of the best things you can do for your health and happiness. If you like to get outside, go for a 30 minute walk. Listen to a podcast to stay happy, or just enjoy the sounds of being outside.
- Weight Lifting can seem intimidating if you’ve never done it before, but it can be very rewarding. Plus, resistance exercises (weights) can increase your bone density and make them stronger.
- Rock Climbing is a favorite of mine, and it’s growing in popularity all over the world. If you are someone who likes puzzles or needs a distraction to destress, go climb. Find an indoor gym in your area, and try it out! You may be surprised at how much you gain from climbing up a wall.
Some other physical activities for you might be:
- Yard Work
- Dancing
- Swimming
- Biking
- Sports (Tennis, Basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, etc.)
- Yoga
- Kickboxing
And the list goes on. Try everything and anything until you find what makes you feel and stay happy.
(Note: If you’re living in Dallas, read my list of 5 Great Hiking Trails in the DFW Area.)
3. Listen to a Podcast or an Audiobook.
From meditation soundtracks to a true crime podcast, rock and roll to the Lord of the Rings on audiobook, they are all more than just background noise.
I listen to one of these things every day, multiple times a day. I find that different auditory stimuli help me to destress, stay happy and refocus throughout the day.
Sooth
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, turning on a meditation or self-care podcast can help you power down your mind. The brain chemicals released when you listen can reduce stress and anxiety.
Stimulate
If you’re seeking something more distracting and feel-good, tune into true crime or drama. Your brain will take the information and produce adrenaline – even just by listening! Endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin are all feel-good chemicals that can take the load off of a particularly stressful day.
Laugh
It turns out that there are a TON of chuckle-inducing podcasts out there. From topical humor to casual comedy, you can find something that will make you laugh. When you find something funny, your cortisol levels get lowered, which reduces stress.
Whether you’re on the search for something that will sooth or stimulate, try out a podcast or audiobook. I encourage you to explore what feels best and helps you to stay happy.
In addition, you can listen to these things almost anywhere. Driving home, doing chores, working out – you can listen to a great podcast or audiobook anytime. Everybody has different needs to stay happy – find out what works for you!
4. Explore Your City
When it’s hard to get your mind off work, trying something new is a great way to escape. Get out of your home this weekend and try a new restaurant, hiking trail, or movie theatre. Sometimes you can even find a good farmer’s market or cultural event to explore.
Maybe you’ve lived in the same city for a few year, or maybe you’ve moved recently. Either way, I promise there are some hidden gems just waiting to be found nearby. Whether you’re looking for a trail to walk or a place to go hang out, don’t give up the search to stay happy.
Festivals – Recently, I’ve been able to attend a few Asian festivals celebrating the Harvest Moon (Otsukimi for Japan, Zhong Qiu Jie for China). It is always fun to learn more about other cultures around you – and the food is amazing.
Hiking – I lived in Dallas for 5 years before I decided to ignore what people have been saying about the hiking (“There’s no good hiking in Dallas”) and search around on my own. I was amazed to discover that there is way more than I expected in the area – from tiny hidden trails in a nearby park to expansive state parks less than an hour away from my apartment. Now I’m driving to a new hiking spot every two weeks. I was so inspired by my success that I even wrote an article about the top 5 trails I found this summer.
Not into hiking or festivals? Here’s a list of 10 Free Things to do in Every City.
5. Rest Well, Stay Happy.
Rest comes in many different forms. Sometimes it takes some experimentation for you to discover what works for you.
Can you set aside 10 minutes during your planning time to rest? That may be an option you haven’t considered before.
I find that exercising helps me to rest my mind, but cuddling with my cat helps me rest my body. You may also enjoy the typical self-care activities:
- take a warm bath
- use candle or fragrances to sooth your system
- use a face mask or have fun with a new skin/hair care item
- read a book
Also – SLEEP. Sleep is one of things that you don’t think you need to be intentional about. Until you’ve missed several days, and a missed email from your principal makes you want to cry. Make sure you sleep enough each night – and don’t hesitate to try taking naps. A coworker of mine goes home every day after work and takes a nap before heading to the gym. Why can’t you?
Even if you can only set aside 10 minutes to rest during the day, being intentional about it will positively impact your day. 10 minutes of deep breathing can change how you feel for the better, trust me. Try it out! And please let me know what you find useful in your pursuit of rest.
