Being Stress Free and Actually Liking Your Life

Stress

This little word and I are BFFs. It's a love-hate relationship. This little word pumps me up so I can get my list of 1,489,3492,479,304 things done. Then, when I get home, this little word leaves me feeling exhausted, drained, and empty. I feel like ever since becoming a teacher my life has been 10 months of "GO GO GO FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS GOOD AND HOLY, GOOOO" and 2 months of laaaaazy sloth lady. Having 20-ish little curious 8 year olds all day plus the 60 hour weeks tend to do that to a person. 

For the first two year of my teaching career I just always felt yucky. I had permanent knots in my back that wouldn't go away, was always getting sick, and just straight up didn't like my life. 

Then, this year I decided things would chance. I decided that life has to have balance. So these are the things I've done to attempt balance.  

First, ME TIME. 

ME TIME does not equal staring at the T.V. like a brainless zombie when you get home. Nor does ME TIME equal ranting, crying, or venting to someone about life. 

ME TIME = something that makes you better

For me, ME TIME was deciding to do Kung Fu. After not exercising for two years due to exhaustion, I found that when I was taking a class that I paid for, I would actually go. (I'm SOOO not the self-motivator type.) Also, exercising actually gave me more energy and helped me sleep better. Plus, it doesn't hurt to have a little more self confidence that I could kick some butt if push came to shove! 

(Hopefully.) 

Second, separate work and home. 

Believe me, I know how hard it is to try to relax at home when you are wondering if you remembered to email that student's parent back, or if you will be able to grade all those papers on time, or if should just put those activities you made in your bag the night before so you don't forget them the next morning. I think if you are super busy, you just have to plan for down time and make sure to mentally separate what you need to worry about today, and what can wait. If all you worry about is work, you aren't balanced. Part of each day should be dedicated to work, and part (even if a small part) should be dedicated to your "real" life, "home" life, whatever you want to call it. 

Third, make life fun.

Fun life = having something to look forward to

I think it is important to get out and DO stuff! Make life worth living! Give yourself something to look forward to, even if it is something small! It might be the chance to watch your favorite T.V. show with your hubby, or your chance to call an old friend and chat and just catch up. Give yourself a manicure or pick up a fun hobby. There is so much to do, but often times stress makes us too exhausted to get up and DO stuff. DO stuff anyways! I still have a hard time with this one because I get really tired. But I always catch a second wind of energy and am glad I used my time making memories instead of being a zombie. 

(Cave exploring in the great Tennessee.)