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The Best Self-Care Products for Teachers

Tara Dusko — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 17:03:54 +0000

Teaching is awesome, but let’s be real—it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Lesson plans, grading, and dealing with all the craziness can leave any teacher feeling like they’ve been through the wringer. That’s where self-care comes in. In this post, you’ll discover the best self-care products for teachers to help you kick back, relax, and recharge.

The Best Self-Care Products for Teachers

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only recommend products that I use and love.

Teaching is like a non-stop rollercoaster, and sometimes you need a break. Taking care of yourself is so important. Self-care helps you hit the reset button, boost your mood, and get back in the game. Trust me, your sanity will thank you.

Self-Care Planner

One of the best ways to practice self-care is to make it a priority. By using a self-care planner, you will be able to build self-care into your busy schedule. When you see exactly how your time is being used, you’ll find ways to be more productive, and you’ll discover pockets of time that you can use for self-care.

Best Self has some amazing products for self-care, including my favorite Self Journal. They also have an amazing Overcoming Burnout Journal that is perfect for teachers.

Aromatherapy Diffuser

Create a calming atmosphere in your home or classroom with an aromatherapy diffuser. Essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or chamomile can promote relaxation and reduce stress. Set the mood for a tranquil evening of self-care after a long day of teaching.

A Comfy Chair

You probably spend a significant amount of time sitting while planning lessons and grading papers. Investing in a comfortable ergonomic chair can make a world of difference. Proper support for your back can prevent discomfort and promote good posture, contributing to both physical and mental well-being.

Luxurious Bath Products

Unwind and pamper yourself with luxurious bath products. A fragrant bath bomb, soothing bath salts, or a high-quality shower gel can turn a simple bath into a rejuvenating spa experience. Take this time to disconnect from work and focus on relaxation.

Noise-Canceling Headphones

Create your oasis of calm with noise-canceling headphones. Whether you prefer to listen to soothing music, nature sounds, or complete silence, these headphones can help you block out distractions and find peace in your own space.

Mindfulness and Meditation Apps

Incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine with meditation apps. These apps offer guided sessions that can help you relax, reduce stress, and improve focus. Take a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness, and watch how it positively impacts your overall well-being. The Calm app is my favorite, and teachers can use it for free. Click this link to set up your account.

A Great Pillow

Teachers often struggle with getting enough restorative sleep. Invest in a great quality pillow to help you get more rest. A good night’s sleep is essential for cognitive function, mood regulation, and overall health.

Want More Self-Care Tips?

The Best Self-Care Practices for Teachers

10 Simple and Effective Tips for Prioritizing Teacher Self-Care

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What Do You Think?

What are your favorite self-care products for teachers?

Let me know in the comments below.

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10 Simple and Effective Tips for Prioritizing Teacher Self-Care

Tara Dusko — Sun, 21 May 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Finding time for self-care can be a challenge for teachers who have busy schedules and demanding workloads. However, it is essential for you to prioritize self-care to maintain your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Here are 10 simple and effective tips for prioritizing teacher self-care.

10 Simple and Effective Tips for Prioritizing Teacher Self-Care

#1 – Schedule self-care time.

We often forget about self-care as we’re trying to take care of our students and our families. That’s why it’s so important to schedule self-care time in your daily or weekly schedule. This can involve setting aside time for activities such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies. By scheduling self-care time, you are more likely to prioritize these activities and make time for them.

#2 – Use breaks effectively.

You may not get too many breaks from your students during the school day, but a few minutes may be all you need for a quick self-care activity. While your students are at lunch or special, you could do some stretches, practice mindfulness, or enjoy a healthy snack. If you have recess duty, you could walk around the recess yard to get some exercise. By using breaks effectively, you can recharge and refocus, which can improve your productivity and overall well-being.

#3 – Set boundaries.

Setting boundaries is crucial for finding time for self-care. You need to establish clear boundaries between work and personal time to prevent burnout. This could involve setting a specific time to start and end work each day and avoiding work-related tasks during personal time. By setting boundaries, teachers can prioritize self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

#4 – Prioritize tasks.

In order to prioritize self-care, you also need to prioritize your other tasks and responsibilities. Make a list of all the things you need to do this week. Identify the tasks that are essential, and add those to your schedule right away. Then, look for things you can delegate to others or postpone until another week. When you have all of your “must-do” items added to your weekly schedule, see where you have little pockets of time for self-care. Add your favorite self-care activities to your schedule now so you won’t forget to do them.

#5 – Collaborate with colleagues.

If you work on a team with other teachers, collaboration is a great way to get some time back for self-care. Find ways to divide up the work with your teammates. That way, you won’t have as much work to do, and you’ll have more time for self-care.

When my third grade team and I got a brand new math curriculum, it was pretty overwhelming. We knew we wanted to do guided math groups, but planning activities for three groups for every lesson would have taken so much time. We decided to work together and divide up the units. Each of us took 4 units and created all the guided math activities. Then, we shared everything. Working on 4 units took a lot less time than planning for all 16 units. Think of creative ways you can work with other teachers to get more work done in less time.

In addition to collaborating on school work, you can also work on self-care with your colleagues. You can organize group activities, such as exercise classes or social events, that prioritize self-care. When you involve others in your self-care journey, you are more likely to stick with it, and you’re helping other teachers get healthier, too.

#6 – Make self-care a habit.

The ultimate goal is to make self-care a habit. You should start doing the self-care activities without even thinking about it. You can do this by building exercise, healthy eating, and other self-care practices into your daily routines. Choose a time for each self-care activity, and do it at that time every day. For example, maybe you want to take a short walk before or after work. You might get up a few minutes earlier to walk before you go to school or maybe you go for your walk as soon as you get home. This will help self-care become a natural part of your daily life.

#7 – Prioritizing Teacher Self-Care with Technology

You can use technology to your advantage to find time for self-care. There are so many apps for our phones that we can really do self-care activities anytime and anywhere. You can download a mindfulness app and meditate for a few minutes during breaks at school. You could also take online workout classes to engage in physical activity at home instead of going to the gym. By using technology, you can access self-care resources and activities that fit your schedule and preferences.

#8 – Include your family in your self-care journey.

One reason I often hear that teachers don’t have time for self-care is because they want to spend any extra time they have with their families. I completely understand that, since we often spend more time with other people’s children than with our own. However, family time is the perfect time to do some self-care activities. You want the other members of your family to be healthy, too, so involve them in your exercise and healthy eating practices.

A family walk is the perfect way to spend time together and get some exercise. Work together to cook a delicious, healthy meal. Have some quiet meditation time before bedtime, and allow each person to share something they are grateful for or something good about their day. Doing these activities with your family will help you bond with them while prioritizing teacher self-care.

#9 – Add self-care to your morning.

I know the morning before heading to school might be a crazy time at your house. When my kids were little, I remember the stress of getting them both dressed, out the door, and to the babysitter before I drove myself to school for a long day of teaching. There didn’t seem to be a single second for self-care.

Then, I started getting up just 15 minutes earlier. Everyone else in the house was still asleep, and those 15 minutes of silence made a huge difference. I was able to make my tea and sit quietly without any interruptions. I used that time to think about the things I had to look forward to that day. Starting the day by thinking of something positive rather than negative made a big difference.

If you can start your day with a little bit of self-care, it can change the entire course of your day. I know some teachers like to exercise first thing in the morning so they can check it off their to-do list. Other teachers like to go to Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks to get coffee to start their day on a positive note. Find something that makes you happy first thing in the morning, and add it to your daily routine.

#10 – Don’t give up!

Life can get busy, and our self-care routine can completely fall apart. Some days there just isn’t enough time for self-care or you’re too exhausted to even think about yourself. (Remember, sleep is a form of self-care, though, so go ahead and take that nap or go to bed early.)

If you miss a few days of your self-care routine, don’t feel frustrated. Just start it again the next day. Sometimes I even give myself a break and wait until the next week to get back into my routine. On Sunday, I sit down and plan out my whole week, and I made sure to build self-care time into every day again. Then, I focus on making it a priority.

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Looking for more ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

What Do You Think?

What tips do you have for prioritizing teacher self-care?

Let us know in the comments.

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The Best Self-Care Practices for Teachers

Tara Dusko — Sun, 07 May 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Teaching is a hard job that requires so much time, energy, and emotional investment. As a teacher, you’re responsible for guiding and nurturing your students, which can be incredibly rewarding but also challenging. When you’re dealing with all of your teaching responsibilities, it is easy to neglect your own needs and wellbeing. This is why self-care is so important for teachers. In this blog post, we will explore what self-care means and why it’s essential. Keep reading to find out the best self-care practices for teachers.

Join other teachers to share self-care strategies in the Teacher Self-Care Community. It will officially open on May 27, 2023, and we’ll be doing a healthy eating challenge in June. Join the wait list by clicking this link and requesting to join.

What is Self-Care?

Self-care means you are taking steps to maintain your physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. It is an essential aspect of overall health and involves taking time to prioritize your own needs, interests, and goals. Self-care involves activities and practices that help you recharge, relax, and rejuvenate.

Self-care looks different for each person. For some people, self-care may involve physical activities, like exercise, yoga, or going for a walk in nature. For others, it may involve engaging in creative activities, like painting, playing an instrument, or writing. Self-care can also involve social activities, like spending time with friends, family, or colleagues or activities that promote mental and emotional wellbeing, like mindfulness, meditation, or therapy.

Why is Self-Care Essential for Teachers?

As teachers, we often put others above ourselves. We spend our time taking care of our students and our families. We are responsible for creating engaging lesson plans, managing our classrooms, grading assignments, and providing support to our students, among many other tasks. The demands of teaching can take a toll on your physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Without proper self-care, it is easy to become overwhelmed, exhausted, and burnt out.

Without self-care, the stress of teaching can have negative effects on your health. Anxiety, depression, and other mental issues are more common when we don’t practice self-care. Stress can even cause issues with your physical health, like high blood pressure, fatigue, and a weakened immune system.

By prioritizing self-care, you can prevent burnout and improve your overall health and wellbeing. When you are healthy and well-rested, you are better able to provide high-quality instruction and support to your students. Prioritizing self-care is not only good for you, but it is also good for your students and your family.

The Best Self-Care Practices for Teachers

Incorporating self-care into your daily routine can seem challenging, especially when you are already juggling many demands. However, here are some simple and practical strategies that you can use to prioritize self-care.

1. Make Time for Yourself

One of the most important things you can do is to make time for yourself. Set aside time each day to do things you enjoy. This may involve waking up a little earlier in the morning to meditate or exercise, taking a break during the day to read or take a walk, or setting aside time in the evening to engage in a hobby or creative activity.

2. Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is crucial for your overall health and wellbeing. Sleep gives your body and mind time to recharge and repair. Lack of sleep can have negative effects on your body. You aren’t able to think as clearly when you don’t get enough sleep. You’re also more likely to forget things. Lack of sleep even causes higher levels of stress and a weaker immune system.

3. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a practice that involves bringing your attention to the present moment without judgment. It can help reduce stress and increase relaxation. There are many ways to practice mindfulness, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or mindful walking. Find a practice that works for you and incorporate it into your daily routine.

4. Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise can help reduce stress, improve your mood, and increase your energy levels. It doesn’t have to be a high-intensity workout at the gym. Even taking a short walk during your lunch break or doing a yoga video at home can be beneficial. Find a type of exercise that you enjoy and make it a regular part of your routine.

5. Connect with Others

Connecting with others is an essential aspect of self-care. Spending time with friends, family, or colleagues can help reduce stress and increase feelings of happiness and wellbeing. Even if you are short on time, try to schedule regular check-ins with friends or family members or attend social events with colleagues.

6. Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude can help shift your focus from the challenges of teaching to the positive aspects of your life. Each day, try to write down or think about three things that you are grateful for. This can be as simple as a beautiful sunset or a kind gesture from a student or colleague. Focusing on the good in your life can help increase feelings of happiness and reduce stress.

7. Set Boundaries

Teaching can be an all-consuming job, and it’s easy to let work bleed into your personal time. Setting boundaries is an essential aspect of self-care. This may involve setting specific times for answering emails or grading assignments or saying no to additional work commitments. By setting boundaries, you can help ensure that you have time for the things that matter most to you.

8. Take Breaks

Taking breaks throughout the day can help reduce stress and increase productivity. Even a short break to stretch, take a walk, or chat with a colleague can help you feel more refreshed and focused. Try to schedule regular breaks into your day to help prevent burnout.

9. Eat Well

Eating a balanced and nutritious diet is crucial for your physical and mental wellbeing. Fueling your body with healthy foods can help increase your energy levels and improve your mood. Try to incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into your diet and limit processed foods and sugary drinks.

10. Get Support

If you are feeling overwhelmed or struggling with your mental health, it’s important to seek support. Talk to a trusted friend or family member, seek out a therapist or counselor, or talk to a mental health professional. Remember that seeking support is a sign of strength, and it can help you feel more empowered to prioritize your self-care.

Remember that self-care is not selfish; it’s an essential aspect of overall health and wellbeing. So, take the time to prioritize your needs, interests, and goals, and enjoy the benefits of a healthy and balanced life.

You’re Invited!

Looking for more ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

What Do You Think?

What are your favorite self-care practices?

Let me know in the comments below.

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5 Ways to Boost Teacher Morale This Holiday Season

Tara Dusko — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 02:02:26 +0000

The weeks leading up to the holidays are stressful for teachers. Parent-teacher conferences are draining, and we all know the kids are in rare form this time of year. Why not do something to boost teacher morale at your school? Here are 5 ideas for fun holiday activities.

The beginning of December is the perfect time to start a morale-boosting holiday activity. Everyone will be excited about it, and it will help the weeks before holiday break go so much faster.

5 Ways to Boost Teacher Morale This Holiday Season

#1 – A Holiday Cookie Exchange

A holiday cookie exchange is a great way to bond with other teachers at your school and reduce some of the holiday stress. You only have to make one type of cookie, and you leave with a variety of flavors to serve at your holiday parties.

All you have to do is send an email to the staff at your school and ask who is interested in participating in the cookie exchange. Then, have everyone sign up for the type of cookie they will make. The easiest way to do this is to create a Google Sheet. That way, everyone can see what types of cookies are already being made, and you won’t get duplicates.

If you want to take your holiday cookie exchange one step further, have everyone type their cookie recipe. Make copies for everyone, and put together a little holiday cookie recipe book that everyone can take home.

My personal favorite holiday cookie to bring to a cookie exchange is the linzer tart. They are beautiful and delicious!

#2 – Secret Santa

Another fun holiday activity is Secret Santa. Who doesn’t like getting little surprise treats?

To set up for Secret Santa, send an email to the teachers at your building asking who would like to participate. Then, put all of those names into a bag or hat. Each person chooses a name and buys that person some gifts without revealing who they are. Just make sure no one picks their own name.

To make Secret Santa fair, you might want to set a number of gifts and a dollar amount to be spent. We usually do a small gift (around $5) each week in December and then a larger gift (around $10) for the Secret Santa reveal.

Secret Santa will really boost your building morale, since giving the gifts makes you feel good, and finding little surprises is always fun. It’s also exciting when you try to use clues to figure out who your Secret Santa is!

At the end of the month, set up a little party where everyone comes with one last gift for their person. Reveal who the Secret Santas are and exchange those gifts. We usually do this at our holiday breakfast, which is my next morale-boosting idea.

#3 – A Holiday Breakfast

How often is the whole staff of your building in one room? At my school that only happens on professional development days and at faculty meetings, and those usually aren’t much fun. Each year, we plan a holiday breakfast to get everyone together and to have some fun.

There are a couple of options for how to organize your holiday breakfast. One possibility is to create a sign-up sheet and have each member of the faculty sign up to bring something. This always provides a lot of different food items for the breakfast. However, everyone has to wake up at the crack of dawn to bake or cook a casserole.

The other option, and what my school has done for the past few years, is to order a breakfast spread from a local restaurant. Each person gives $5, and we place an order for the food we want. This way, only one or two people have to get up early to pick up the food. Last year, we were actually lucky enough to order from a place that delivered!

At my husband’s school, the men at the building cook all the food for the women. He goes to school around 5:30 to begin preparations. Each man is on a different station. Tony always does the hash browns. The men at your building may not appreciate this suggestion, but it’s been happening at his building since he started there.

No matter how you decide to organize your holiday breakfast, it will provide a great opportunity for everyone to socialize and have some fun together. What a great way to start the holiday break!

#4 – White Elephant Gift Exchange

A white elephant gift exchange is another fun holiday activity. Have everyone buy a small gift and wrap it. Traditionally, you would give each person a number, and they would choose gifts in that order. Each person is able to keep the gift they choose or take someone else’s gift.

However, I recently found a version I like even better. It’s just like the dice rolling games I give my students at their centers. You roll a die and the number you roll tells you what to do with your gift. Check it out at Play, Party, Plan. I can’t wait to try it this year!

#5 – Holiday Tea Party

One other annual holiday tradition is my holiday tea party. I hold it every year for my closest teacher friends. They look forward to it every year, and it’s a great way to bond outside of the school building.

On Your Way to a Happier Staff. . .

Organizing one or two of these holiday activities is sure to boost teacher morale at your school. Having a little fun is a great way to reduce some of the stress that comes along with teaching. Which activity will you choose?

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

What Do You Think?

What is your favorite activity to boost teacher morale?

Let me know in the comments below.

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Guilt-Free Mental Health Day for Teachers

Tara Dusko — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 22:41:37 +0000

As teachers, we always want to be there for our students. Taking a sick or personal day fills us with guilt. Not to mention the hours it takes to prepare for a day away from the classroom. However, our jobs are full of stress, and everyone requires the occasional day off to recuperate. Here’s how to plan a guilt-free mental health day.

The past few weeks at school have been crazy.

Parent emails
Unannounced observations
IEP meetings
Red Ribbon Week spirit days
Report Cards
Upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences

The knot in my neck keeps growing. When I found out I have five more meetings this week, I decided that I need a mental health day. I’m going to be spending more time at school than with my family on Monday and Thursday this week with before and after school meetings. Three of the meetings start at 7:30, so I have to get my daughter out the door at 6:45 to make it on time. I’m exhausted just thinking about it.

Plus, we have a really busy weekend ahead. Saturday is my niece’s birthday party, and Sunday my son is playing in the bell choir at church. I just need a kid-free day to myself. That’s why I decided to take a mental health day on Friday.

Planning for a Guilt-Free Mental Health Day

One of the worst parts of taking a day off is writing sub plans. They take forever to write and aren’t even followed by some substitutes. I’ve taught many times with a bad cough and no voice just because I didn’t want to write sub plans.

The most difficult sub plans to write are the first ones of the school year. Schedules change from the previous year, and you’re basically starting from scratch. Friday will be my first day off this year. I have a week to get my sub plans done and prepare all the materials. That’s so much better than trying to throw everything together at 3:00 am with the stomach bug. Been there, done that.

Now, when I’m feeling awful and need a last minute sub, it will be much easier to get my plans together.

When you decide to take a mental health day, look at the upcoming weeks, and choose a day that is easy to plan. I selected Friday because it’s a math review day. That’s a lot easier to leave for a sub than a guided math lesson.

Use these tips to make writing sub plans easier.

What to Do on Your Day Off

I always plan a doctor’s appointment if I’m taking a mental health sick day. That always makes me feel less guilty. Plus I always put doctor’s appointments off, so this is a good excuse to go. On Friday, I have a 9:00 gynecologist appointment. Knowing that I have a kid-free day ahead of me makes my least favorite appointment bearable.

The doctor’s appointment is also so I can go out in public on my day off. When I’m actually sick, I tend to stay at home, so I don’t have to worry about running into anyone. However, on a mental health day, I want to be able to enjoy myself. Everywhere I go, I tend to see my students’ parents. That’s especially awkward when I’m supposed to be teaching their children. A doctor’s appointment is the perfect reason to be out and about on a school day.

The remainder of the day will be spent doing things for myself. Here are some ideas:

Get a manicure or pedicure
Get a massage
Go shopping
Go out for breakfast or lunch
Read a good book
DON’T DO ANY SCHOOL WORK!

Even though my report cards are due on Monday, I’m going to resist the urge to do school work on Friday. My goal is to have most of them finished by Thursday night. Anything that still needs to be finished can wait until Sunday.

Get Rid of the Guilt

My first few years of teaching, I didn’t enjoy any of the days I took off – even personal days. I spent the whole day thinking about what my class was doing at that time. I worried that they weren’t being good for the sub.

Then, I realized that I deserve a day off every now and then, and I can’t change their behavior from home. Now, I focus on enjoying myself. Anything that happens at school I will deal with when I go back.

Everyone benefits from my mental health day, too. I get to relax a bit, and that makes me more patient with my family at home and my students at school. Sometimes you need to put yourself first to help those around you.

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

What Do You Think?

What do you do to overcome the guilt of taking a mental health day?

Let me know in the comments below.

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How to Balance Life and Teaching

Tara Dusko — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 13:00:44 +0000

Teaching isn’t a job where you leave everything at work. Grading, planning, worrying about your students – these are all parts of the job that follow you home. Here are some tips for how to balance life and teaching.

Balance Life and Teaching

When I first started teaching 12 years ago, I spent my life doing schoolwork. I arrived at school by 7, stayed until 6, and still took grading home. At that point, I didn’t have a husband or kids, so it wasn’t a big deal. I poured everything into my job.

Now, one husband and two children later, I can’t spend all my time doing work for school. Actually, outside the school day there isn’t much time left for planning or grading. Cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the kids are my top priorities when I’m not at school. I’ve found some ways to accomplish everything that needs to be done and balance life and teaching.

Tip #1 – Use your time at school wisely.

Think about the time you have at school without students:

Before school
After school
Your planning period
Lunch

Use these times wisely to save yourself time at home. Copy before school and after school. We even have a copier in the lunchroom, so I often try to get a few math lessons ready while I’m eating. I figure getting up and down to get the copies works off some of the food I’m eating.

I also grade every free second I get. As students finish tests, I start grading them right away. I’m usually able to get through at least half the stack while walking around and monitoring the class. Then, I finish them during my planning period or lunch.

I used to save up all the papers from the day and take them home in my bag. Then, I would spend hours each night grading. Now, I rarely grade at home.

Find out some other tips to avoid taking papers home to grade.

Tip #2 – Plan ahead as far as you can.

Aside from grading, planning takes the largest chunk of time. I always try to stay at least a week ahead in my plans. That way, if a lesson requires a lot of preparation, I don’t have to do it all the night before.

Get some more tips for saving time on planning.

Tip #3 – Set aside one night a week for schoolwork.

Just in case everything doesn’t get finished at school, set aside one night a week for schoolwork. For me, it’s Friday night. After I put my kids to bed, I finish grading any leftover papers, complete my lesson plans for the week, and prepare anything I need for the following week.

I know that’s not a fun way to spend a Friday night, but I like knowing that I don’t have to worry about school the rest of the weekend. I get to spend time with my family and accomplish things around the house.

Tip #4 – Don’t recreate the wheel.

If someone else has already created something for the lesson you’re doing, use that rather than spending hours making it yourself. There are so many resources online! Look on education blogs and Teachers Pay Teachers for some great ideas.

Check out the Teach Without Tears Teachers Pay Teachers Store.

Tip #4 – Stay organized.

Meetings at school, kids’ doctor appointments, work for grad classes – these are all things we need to remember. With so many things going on, it’s really important to stay organized.

Some teachers use a year-long planner. Others keep everything on their phone. I personally prefer to look at the week ahead. I created a “Week at a Glance” page that I fill out every Sunday night. It helps to keep me organized, because I write everything I need to do for the week on it. I even list the meals I’ll be feeding my family.

Download my “Week at a Glance” organizer at the bottom of this post.

Tip #5 – Set up for the week over the weekend.

One of my biggest stresses has always been figuring out what to make for dinner. By the time I’m done teaching, I don’t feel like cooking. There was one year when we ate out or ordered takeout at least two nights a week. With two kids, we can’t afford to do that anymore. Plus, it’s not very healthy.

To solve the problem, I’ve started making all my meals over the weekend. That way, I just have to pop them in the oven when I get home from work. My family gets to eat homemade meals, and I don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen each night.

Click to download a full week of make-ahead meals for free. You’ll also get a grocery list and step-by-step directions to help you make 5 dinners, 1 breakfast, and 1 dessert in 2 hours.

Getting out the door in the morning is another stress. My husband takes my son to the before school program at his school. I take my daughter to her babysitter’s house, and we both have to make it to work by 8:00.

To make our mornings easier, I lay out all of our clothes for the week on Sunday. I also make sure I have something quick to grab for breakfast each morning. That simple planning makes my mornings so much easier!

Tip #6 – Don’t forget to make time for yourself.

Balancing life and teaching isn’t easy. Even if you follow all these tips, you will still lay awake at night worrying about your students. You will also spend more than one night a week doing school work during busy times of the year. There’s no way around it.

However, you need to remember to take time for yourself. It’s so easy to get caught up doing things for everyone else and forget about yourself.

Here are some ideas for how to do something special for yourself:

Schedule a manicure
Take a bubble bath
Find a quiet spot to read
Get new clothes through Stitch Fix
Call a friend
Have a girls’ night

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10 Things Every Teacher Should Do Before the New School Year

Tara Dusko — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 02:00:08 +0000

When I glanced at the calendar today, I realized that our back to school inservices start in about a month. What happened to summer? It’s going way too quickly, and the new school year will be here before we know it.

The start of school brings lots of stress with it.

A classroom to set up
Back to School night
Meeting new students
Dropping kids off at daycare again
After school meetings
And so much more!

My neck started to tense just at the thought of how busy I’ll be in a few short weeks. That made me wonder what I could do now to relieve some of the stress of the new school year.

10 Things to Do Before the New School Year

#1 – Make freezer meals.

Making meals during the school week is a huge stress. You walk in the door at 4:30 exhausted from a long day of teaching. The last thing you want to do is cook a meal.

Solution: Make some freezer meals before school starts. When you’re making food, just double the recipe and pop one in the freezer.

When you have a really busy week, dinner is ready and just needs to be heated.

Here are a few of my favorite freezer meals.

Freezer Baked Ziti from Macheesmo
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole from Money Saving Mom
Bacon Blue Cheese Burgers from Andie Mitchell

Tip: Freeze your food in plastic freezer bags, and label the bag with the date and type of food.

Discover some of my other favorite freezer meals and tips for freezer cooking.

#2 – Fill out your calendar now.

Schedules get crazy during the school year. My husband and I teach at two different schools, and my son goes to a completely different district. Plus, we have meetings, soccer practices, and dance classes. I have to stay organized, so I don’t miss anything important.

Solution: Check your district’s website to see if the calendar is posted. Fill in the important events on your personal calendar. Add in other meetings and events as you find out about them.

Some of the stress melts away when I’m organized and can see what lies ahead.

#3 – Start adjusting your sleep schedule.

Summer means sleeping in until 9 and staying up until 11. It’s a shock to your body when you suddenly have to crawl out of bed at 6 on the first day of school.

Solution: Gradually adjust your sleep schedule. Start going to bed an hour earlier and waking up an hour earlier to ease the transition.

#4 – Do a little bit of school work each day.

Everything that needs to be done for a new school year is overwhelming.

Plan lessons
Organize materials
Copy papers
Laminate name tags
Prepare technology

Your to-do list goes on and on and seems like it will never end.

Solution: Choose one job to complete each day. You will feel like you’re accomplishing things without working 10 hours straight.

Don’t forget to divide up the work if you are part of a grade level team. When my teammates and I started doing guided math, we divided up all the topics. That way we only had to plan 4 topics each rather than all 16. It saved so much time!

Find out how we set up our guided math groups.

#5 – Stock up on snacks and foods for lunches.

If you don’t feel like making dinner, you definitely don’t want to make lunch for the next day. I have three lunches to make each evening, and it’s the last thing I feel like doing after a long day at work.

Solution: Start buying snacks and easy things to pack for lunch now. Divide large bags into serving-sized containers so you just have to grab it and go. Use them to make your own snack packs.

Some of my favorite foods to stock up on include:

Goldfish
Veggies (carrots, broccoli, celery)
Fruits (oranges, apples, fruit cups)
Pretzels
Cubed Cheese
Granola Bars
Yogurt

Just be sure to check expiration dates on the foods you’re buying ahead of time.

#6 – Get your feet used to school shoes again.

All summer long you’ve been wearing flip-flops and sneakers. Unfortunately, those don’t go well with your dresses and skirts for school. Try wearing heels again on the first day of school, and you’ll be barefoot before lunch.

Solution: Gradually reintroduce heels into your wardrobe. Wear them for an hour at church or to go out to dinner.

Discover some of the most comfortable shoes for teachers.

#7 – Clean your house as much as you can now.

One of my biggest stresses during the school year is a messy house. I can keep everything in my classroom neat and tidy, but at home the dishes pile up in the kitchen, hampers are full of dirty laundry, and toys are strewn across the floor. Teaching is exhausting, and you’re not going to want to clean when you get home.

Solution: Get your house as clean as you can before school starts. Then, spend about 15 minutes a night tidying up, so it doesn’t look like a tornado went through your house.

#8 – Freshen up your school wardrobe.

You’ve spent the summer in shorts and T-shirts. As you look through your clothes, you realize your school wardrobe hasn’t been updated for three years.

The start of the new school year calls for some new clothes. I always love an excuse to go shopping.

Solution: Look for back-to-school sales at your favorite stores or try Stitch Fix to have new clothes delivered to your door. Just tell your stylist you need comfortable clothes for teaching,

#9 – Pamper yourself.

You know the start of the school year is going to be hectic and stressful. There won’t be much time to spend on yourself when you’re trying to meet the learning needs of 25 students and keep the rest of your life in order.

Solution: Pamper yourself now. Set up a spa day to have a manicure, pedicure, haircut, and massage.

Now you’ll look and feel great as you meet your new students and start a new school year.

#10 – Enjoy the last few days of summer with your family.

With your ridiculously long to-do list, it’s easy to forget to enjoy yourself. Summer will wrap up quickly, and you’ll have 180 days to do school work.

Solution: Spend time with your family before summer is over. Plan some day trips and create some amazing memories. Before you know it, your kids will be spending more time with other people than with you again.

Hopefully, all of these ideas will help you destress as you prepare for the beginning of the school year.

Want to Learn More?

Check out these 10 first week of school activities to make planning easier.

Discover my favorite teaching resources on Amazon.

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

What Do You Think?

What do you do to destress before the new school year starts?

Let me know in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this post and think your teacher friends will, too, please click the button to share it on your favorite social media platform.

The post 10 Things Every Teacher Should Do Before the New School Year appeared first on Teach Without Tears.