7 Ways to Get More Done!
Being an elementary general music teacher is overwhelming, to say the least. If you’re like me, you’re in the midst of rehearsals for your end-of-the-year performances. You’re dealing with grades and before or after school ensembles. You’re still trying to plan engaging lessons for your students, and they are fighting you every step of the way. You want to get more done, and you just don’t know how. I know. I’m there, and it’s hard.
I’m going to share a secret. The best way to get more done at this time of the year is to take a break! No, I’m not joking. I’m truly serious. This is the time of the year that you are the most exhausted. You’ve been teaching for 8 months, and you (and your students) are ready to be done. That means that it’s the best time for a break. In fact, according to Scientific America,
Downtime replenishes the brain’s stores of attention and
motivation, encourages productivity and creativity, and is
essential to both achieve our highest levels of performance
and simply form stable memories in everyday life.
It’s just common sense that if your brain is more motivated and more attentive, you’re going to get more done. Easy right? Not so much. As a motivated educator who cares about your students, you already don’t have time to do all the things. That’s why today I’m going to share some easy and quick ways you can use to help you take better care of you.
Hopefully I’ve caught you before or during your spring break. That’s where I am today, taking some well-deserved time off cruising the Caribbean! If you’ve already had spring break and weren’t able to follow this advice, be sure to take a little time for yourself this week. My spring break is this week, and I plan to totally practice what I preach. Today, we’re going to take a look at 10 ways you can take a brain and body break. Just pick one to start and let me know what you chose and how it felt to just take some well-deserved R & R.
- Read a book – You probably guessed that this would be a favorite for me. I’ve always loved to curl up with a good book and forget about the world for a couple of hours. It’s such a great escape and usually helps me relax. What’s your favorite genre? Mine is historical fiction, but I’ve also been known to enjoy a sappy romance. My favorite author is Jennifer Weiner. I love her biting sense of humor!
- Meditate – Wait! I know what you’re thinking. How can I possibly slow my brain down enough to meditate?? You’re probably focused on 10 different problems all at the same time. I get it, because I’m the same way. However, meditation is not actually as hard as it sounds, and meditation can actually change your brain chemistry and help you to focus better. Check out this article for more info on how meditation can literally change your brain.
- The key to meditation is not shutting your thoughts off, it’s about refocusing when you do start thinking about something. That’s why it’s called practicing meditation. I use the free app, Insight Timer to meditate. There are guided practices to help you through the process. I suggest starting with just 2 or 3 minutes. You’ll be amazed at how much you enjoy it and how quickly you can increase the time you’re practicing.
- Exercise – Stay with me. Right now you’re saying, I can’t possibly fit in time to exercise. That’s how I felt too, because I raised my kids as a single mom, worked a full time job, and went to school to get my masters degree. I also knew that I needed to start taking better care of myself. When a friend told me that she was doing 10 minutes of exercise a day first thing in the morning, I decided to give it a try. This is easy, right? Everyone can find 10 minutes in their day. First thing in the morning is hard, I know, but this way you get it in before the day gets away from you. Not sure how to begin? Here’s a link to get you started. Let me know what type of exercise you decide on.
- Take a walk – Walking is not only good exercise, but it’s also a great way to disconnect. Walking outdoors is especially beneficial, because our bodies need more red light and more vitamin D. Humans today are deficient in both of these. Red light is just one type of light that our bodies absorb from the sun, and it’s helpful in promoting healing, reducing inflammation, and decreasing signs of aging. Sign me up!
- Have coffee with a friend – Being a music teacher is an especially lonely job. You’re on your own island with no one to talk to. That’s why having a community is so important. Experts say that reconnecting with friends is good for the brain. Chatting with your bestie releases positive endorphins in the brain and just helps you feel connected. Starbucks is my go-to coffee spot. I’ve spent lots of time connecting with friends at my neighborhood Starbucks, and I feel warm and cozy just thinking about being there.
- Put your phone down – One of the best inventions ever created, in my opinion, is the smartphone. I’m an Apple girl, and I spend LOTS of time on my iPhone. It goes with me everywhere, and I work, play, and connect to friends and colleagues through my phone. However, you and I both know it’s also good to take a break.
- Apple has created these super cool focus modes in their latest updates. When your phone is in a focus mode, notifications are turned off. You can have your phone go into sleep focus, personal time focus, work focus, the list goes on. For me, this is a good way to force myself to disconnect for awhile. Check out this article for help setting up focus modes in your Apple device. Here’s one for Android users.
- Take a dance break – Do you love to dance? I do too. Dancing is a great way to step away and give yourself a fun, and active break. Put on your favorite music and just move your body, or check out GoNoodle! It’s not just for your kiddos you know.
Do you have another way that you love to disconnect? That’s o.k. too! The important thing is to step away from the grind for a bit. 10 Minutes is all it takes to refresh your brain. You’ll be more productive in the long run, and you’ll feel so much better. I’d love to hear your favorite way to relax. Please share in my Private Facebook Group or just check out how other people choose to take a brain break!