Tag: physical health

peppermint tea on teacup
Self-Care and Wellbeing for Teachers

Self-Care for Teachers: My Favourite Beverages

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Self-care for teachers is important! As fulfilling as teaching can be, it is also very draining. As a result, my goal is to focus more on self-care each day. I’m sure many fellow educators can identify with the physical and mental exhaustion that often comes in our profession, and for that reason, I invite you to join me in meeting this goal, too!

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Past Thoughts on Self-Care

In the past, I viewed “self-care” as somewhat of a special event. A key example would be spending time at a spa. Sounds lovely, right? The problem with that is that it would be a rare event, not to mention, one that could potentially be quite costly.

Read This! “Why Teacher Self-Care Matters” by www.waterford.org

Present Thoughts on Self-Care

I’m thankful to see self-care in a different light now, but I must admit, I still need to work on taking better care of myself on a regular basis. That is why I have decided to purposely start sharing some of the ways I already practice self-care, as well as some things that I wish to try out.

Image shows a cup of tea with words above saying, Self-Care for Teachers - Favourite Beverages
Teachers, do you have a go-to beverage each day?

What does self-care for teachers look like to you?

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Self-Care for Teachers: Enjoy your Favourite Beverage

I will be sharing some of my own personal favourite beverages. These special drinks can be comforting and warming, while others give me a taste of some favourite flavours. Read on to view some of my own go-to beverages (in no particular order).

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1. Herbal Tea

I personally enjoy drinking herbal tea and love the variety of flavours available. From peppermint tea to ginger lemon tea, I really like trying out various flavours across different tea brands.

The one that I recently discovered is an instant new favourite. It’s Spice Dragon Red Chai (Caffeine-Free) by Stash. This herbal tea is absolutely comforting to me. The ingredients include cinnamon, rooibos, ginger root, and clove. I use it without sugar and add a tiny amount of almond milk. Click on the images below for more details about this tea.

If you also enjoy herbal tea like myself, have you tried any of the following flavours? If not, give them a try.

2. Dandy Blend

This is an “instant herbal beverage with dandelion”. A friend of mine introduced this one to me a while back after I mentioned that I don’t drink coffee. I love the taste and scent of this beverage. I usually add some almond milk and a bit of honey for taste. It also makes a great iced drink, too!

3. Smoothies

Smoothies made at home are perhaps one of the easiest ways I can ensure that I grab breakfast in the morning. Making them at home helps me monitor the amount of sugar and types of ingredients in the smoothie. I love the versatility of smoothies and constantly try out different kinds. Some go-to ingredients for me include the following:

  • berries (e.g., frozen strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.)
  • kale or spinach
  • almond milk
  • seeds (e.g., pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, etc.)
  • collagen powder
  • protein powder

Read this! Mango Spinach Smoothie Recipe by simplegreensmoothies.com

An inspiring, short video from Simple Green Smoothies

Closing Thoughts

Hot, warm, or cold, I am one that savours each sip from a beverage of choice each day. It can be that smoothie in the morning to get an energy boost, or that warm cup of herbal tea in the evening as I settle in at home after a day at work. Self-care in a cup (or mug, or glass, or whatever container it may be). That’s just one simple little way I practice self-care. It is like a a few moments of peace, a few moments to get energized or reset.

How do you practice self-care?

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Teaching

Teacher Tip: Encourage Exercise Throughout the Day

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Encouraging students to move and exercise during the school day is of extreme importance. In this blog post, I will share a few ways that I help my students move intentionally during the school day.

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Why Is This Important?

Students need to move throughout the day in order to help keep them engaged in learning. Movement during the school day is also necessary to help focus on physical and mental health with exercise. Movement activities can be woven into the school day during lesson planning as well as done spontaneously. Either way, it’s another way for students to have fun.

Some Ways I Get My Students Moving

Move to Music

I give students some instructions to follow while moving to music. When the music is playing, students choose how to move and exercise. Some simply walk around the classroom, while others do repeated exercises such as Jumping Jacks or running on the spot. Others choose to dance! When the music stops however, they need to complete a task and then freeze. Here is a sample task: “When the music stops, use movement to create an A-B-B pattern. Repeat it three times, then freeze.” Some students may do “clap-snap-snap” three times to complete the task, then freeze on the spot. We continue this for 3 – 5 times.

I usually use the music feature at www.classdojo.com when we do “Move to Music” each day.

Relay Races Outdoors

Nothing gets my students going like having relay races on the field outside of our school! For those who are competitive, it’s a great way to engage them with something they enjoy. I put my class into two groups and form two lines. Two students at a time run to a designated location and back. Those waiting to run eagerly cheer on both students. Before all of this even starts, we discuss how this is a way we can exercise in a fun way outdoors. It is not about finding the fastest runner, or about winning. It’s about moving around and helping to stay healthy. For most, it’s just seen as having fun.

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Go Noodle

Have you ever used the exercise videos and brain breaks at www.gonoodle.com? If you haven’t, please check it out! Teachers can sign up for a free account and have access to many videos that promote movement in the classroom. Exercises can be as short as 1 – 2 minutes or even 20 minutes. My students enjoy using several of these exercises throughout the day. I personally enjoy joining them, too.

Obstacle Challenges

Students love a challenge! Creating short and simple obstacles outdoors surely helps my class exercise and build their stamina. A sample obstacle course can include the following:

  1. Run to the tree (or designated spot).
  2. Use a Hula Hoop for ten seconds.
  3. Run to another designated spot.
  4. Toss a bean bag into a bucket.
  5. Return to the starting point.

Obstacle courses are great for my Grade 1 or 2 students because I can change the courses easily to help make challenges different and engaging.

Gym Equipment Bin

Each recess break, students can choose to take out an item from our gym equipment bin. Examples of what is kept in the bin are listed below:

  1. skipping ropes
  2. basketball
  3. soccer ball
  4. hula hoops
  5. scoop and ball

PREVIOUS TEACHER TIP: Celebrate Our Names

Questions to Consider

  1. How do you keep your students moving during the school day?
  2. What particular movement activities do your students enjoy the most?
  3. Does your class prefer opportunities to exercise indoors or outdoors?

Stay Connected!

Let’s chat on social media! Stay connected with Minds to Grow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. You can also keep in touch with linktr.ee/mindstogrow.