I can’t remember the number of Christmas school holidays that I was poorly for. More than I wasn’t that’s for sure. A lingering cold, a sore throat, headaches or just exhausted. And even in the holidays I kept going.
I didn’t know how to stop and pause properly (I only knew the glass of wine collapsed in front of the telly kind of stopping) and I wish someone had told and shown me how to do it.
I wish someone had made it compulsory for me to do it whilst I was at school because I now know how much it helps. It’s not just you that needs it, the children do too. Not much, just little and often throughout your day.
Because I wish this, I’m now doing what I needed back then– for you.
It’s very simple and extremely necessary. If you’re not convinced, that’s OK, do it anyway.
STOP in your school day. Take considered pauses and breaks. Involve the children you teach because they’re going at full pelt too. STOP and give yourselves a chance to LISTEN.
Focus inward.
It’s as simple as sitting, standing or laying comfortably then breathing in, notice the hold at the top, then breathing out for longer than your breath in.
Notice the pause at the bottom too. Repeat as many times as you like. Let the shoulders drop and relax on the way down. Use counting to help you on the way in and out if it helps.
If you’re not sure how to do this, then play this short audio with your class and let me lead you all. Play it after breaktime, before a lesson, before Christmas performance rehearsals or after. Play it first thing in the morning or at the end of the day. Play it several times a day. You decide.
Not only will it calm you and your class, but it will also give you that all-important insight into you. What you need. What you are ignoring, What matters.
Don’t wait until the end of term, start today. Take the breaks you deserve and the pauses that support you and your class. They might not seem like they’re going to make any difference but who else is going to tell you to stop and have a minute? No-one.
Do it for yourself. Do it for the children you teach. Take a few moments for you.
Have a great day, full of fun…and necessary pauses.
Jo x
P.S. If this helps you and/or your class, please send me a short message. I’d love to hear from you.
P.P.S. If you’d like more information about how I can help your whole school develop a culture that prioritises wellbeing, then drop me an email. Learnful School Membership is now available for termly subscription. That’s everyone in school, taking a few minutes each day to calm, connect and practice compassion for themselves and for others. And the best bit…you don’t have to ‘own’ any of it because I’ll do it for you. Giving you that much-needed relief so you can be the better version of yourself in your classroom and at home.