Brain Breaks

What a great holiday it has been – though my initial reflection on the break was one of guilt.  I like to get things accomplished, so initially all I could think about was what work tasks I could have, but didn’t get done.  However, after some contemplation, I realized I got a lot accomplished.  I just had to flip the glass over and see it as being half full rather than half empty.

My wife and I had an action-packed holiday.  We decorated, cooked, shopped and worked puzzles.  We had time with our kids, extended family, church friends, and furry beasts.  We got to play, laugh, and rest, all-the-while recharging physically and emotionally.  Yep, a lot of very important tasks got taken care of.

Ever heard of the term “brain break”?  It’s an activity that gives our brains the chance to decompress and reset when our cognitive or emotional loads are heavy.  Elementary teachers understand the critical importance of these breaks on rainy days when kids can’t go to recess.  It can get ugly.

Teachers, as you jump back into the frenzy of the spring semester, remember to take care of yourself.  As we get older, we get better at compensating and justifying our need to work 24-7, but at the end of the day, your brain needs breaks as well.  Dive in and enjoy your spring adventure – but do so in a way that creates a healthy balance between your work and home worlds.

Happy 2025.