Somewhere along the line, it seems that many of us have deemed our worth on our productivity levels. Often, we feel the need to be busy all the time, allowing little or no time for relaxation of the mind or body. It's actually counterproductive. The more we keep ourselves busy, the less opportunity our brain and creativity has to recharge, causing a great deal of stress. It is alright to let yourself do nothing . . . in fact, for your health and sanity, this strategy should be practiced at least once a day.
In today's society, we are bombarded with stimuli at every turn: phones, television, computers, radio, etc. It never stops. Now, add this to the daily rigors of being a teacher. You have children relying on you all day long. They need you for your help, instruction, and guidance. They need you for your decision making capabilities. This is a tremendous burden on your brain and your energy levels by the end of the workday.
In fact, did you know educators make more decisions during a workday than any other profession? It's true, and it makes sense. On an average day, I see 150 students in the classroom, about 200 more in the hallways, and approximately 50 more during a sport's season after school. Many of those kids will have multiple questions for me. Now, add this to questions from fellow teachers, administration, parent emails . . . you see where this is going? My brain needs a break. It needs time for relaxation.
Whether you can find five minutes to meditate, listen to soothing music, or just find a quiet place to do nothing, it is imperative that you do so. Even finding a quiet room in your home to do some simple yoga stretches would be beneficial. Your body and mind will reap the benefits. A great deal of our daily struggles and anxieties are from our overactive and overstimulated minds. When our brains allow our thoughts to go in multiple directions, it's a stressful feeling, because it lacks focus. When we cannot focus on one goal, we feel overcome with responsibilities that we feel have to get done this instant. In actuality, most things can wait. Yes, there are some tasks that must be dealt with quickly; but many more do not require a sense of urgency. Bottom line, let yourself do nothing at least once a day. You'll be more focused, creative, and energized and relaxed to complete your day. You can thank me later.