Do you remember that feeling of exhilaration you felt back in August when school had just reopened?  You were rested, revived and ready for the new school year.  Now, several months later, you’re depleted of energy, devoid of inspiration and drenched in backlogged work.  Well, I’ve come to tell you that it’s okay to take a break.

Image courtesy of Kiran Valipa @ unsplash.com

I’m sure we’ll always have those cynics who believe that teachers have the best hours ever since they work until 3 p.m. and get weekends off along with holidays.  But nothing can be further from the truth.  Anyone who works in the field of education knows that your work always extends beyond the walls of the school, and far beyond the time of school hours.

With this reality in mind, educators must remember to take work-free vacations as well as frequent breaks to help them stay on the top of their game.  Here are five reasons why you should enjoy taking time to rest:

1. Intervention for Physical Health – Constant exposure to stress can manifest itself on the body in so many negative ways. Therefore, time off to relax can act like medicine.  In fact, a yearly holiday can reduce the risk of heart attack in men by 30% and by 50% in women.
2. Improved Creativity – Working ardently to meet report deadlines, assess student projects and update classroom bulletin boards are not the ideal times for creative ideas. However, when you’re relaxed and in a free thinking state, some of your best ideas can emerge.  Perhaps this is because at work we tend to use the left side of our brain, which is the linear, logical side.  However, when we’re away from work, our right brain, the creative and intuitive side, is more at work.
3. Insights from Re-evaluating – When you take time to relax and rest, you are better able to review your performance to see how well things are progressing.  You get to see what is out of balance and requires adjustments.  When you are relaxed, you can easily see how to refocus your efforts for more productivity.
4. Increased Rejuvenation – It’s amazing what a little rest and relaxation can do to the mind and body. It can help to re-ignite the passion and enthusiasm that got you going back in August.  A study by Fritz and Sonnentag revealed that vacations boost energy reserves so that once back to work, you’ll need less effort to complete tasks.  So, taking a break from the routine of work to relax is truly worth it.
5. Impulse to Achieve – Clinical psychologists say that after a vacation, most people have a better perspective and are more motivated to pursue their goals. This is probably because a break allows you time to rejoice over what you’ve already accomplished.  Celebrating your successes should be a daily practice but be sure to indulge a bit more when you finally take a break.

Come on teachers, principals, and superintendents; do you need another reason to persuade you to enjoy your holidays and your vacations?  I hope not!  Just remember to DISCONNECT completely when you do take a break.  Turn off those electronic gadgets and unwind.  Invest in YOU and get a return on your health and happiness that money can’t buy.

Leave a comment:  How important is it for you to disconnect and take a break from the work you do?