LEAven Blog

This summer I got married, changed my name, my husband started a new job, we moved into a home together, and now it’s the beginning of a new school year! Lots of new beginnings! With new beginnings come new routines.

As I’m making my final preparations for a new school year, I’m reviewing and modifying my classroom routines (something I wrote about last August in “The Reward of Routines”). While routines are an important part of a functional classroom, routines in my personal life are an important part of me being healthy, both at home and in the classroom. So, this year I’d like to focus on healthy, consistent routines for life outside the classroom. As you read through the examples below, I invite you to choose at least one that fits your priorities, so that you can begin each day the best you can going into this new school year! 

1. Establish a calming morning routine. Avoid rushing by preparing things the night before, like your lunch and your outfit. 
2. Develop spiritual disciplines. If your school is associated with a church, plan to attend their Sunday services often. Grow also through Bible study, devotions, prayer, songs, and offerings.
3. Eat healthy foods. Eat protein in the evenings so you don’t wake up hungry but avoid heavy meals right before bedtime.
4. Stay hydrated. Coffee doesn’t count. I stay hydrated by taking a sip of water after I ask questions. This allows students more time to think, too!
5. Collaborate. You don’t need to do this work alone. Meet with one or two people to share ideas, plans, and resources. I’ve found it very helpful to collaborate with people who teach the same grade as me. This can be with people at your school or at similar schools.
6. Set boundaries. Put family and friend time on the calendar and avoid checking emails or grading papers during that time.
7. Exercise. Find a routine and type of exercise that works for you, and don’t forget to stretch! Whether it’s aerobic activities, strength training, or both, it’s good for your brain and body health. Just try to finish strenuous workouts a few hours before bedtime so your body isn’t overstimulated right before bed.  
8. Schedule leisure time. Do something that brings you joy.
9. Reflect daily. Perhaps you journal or talk with someone about the highs and lows of your day, or your goals and dreams.
10. Prioritize sleep. Establish a bedtime routine and strive to keep the wake-up time consistent, even on weekends. Most people need 7-9 hours to get a good, deep, and restful sleep. To help with this, avoid looking at emails or the phone for at least 30 minutes before bed.

From one teacher to another, healthy routines are not just a luxury, but a necessity. After reviewing these examples, you might be thinking, “I just don’t have time!” I get it. I’ve often given myself that excuse as well. However, it’s worth the time investment. By taking a break from thinking about school for a little bit each day, I have more sustained energy through these first days back than I would have if I were to have spent all my evenings at school.

Budgeting time to establish healthy routines can be difficult, but I encourage you to take fifteen minutes today and plan for your personal time this week. Whatever routines you plan to focus on, stick to them. Consistency is key. Celebrate when you stick with a new healthy routine for a week. When you get off track, don’t get discouraged. I, too, mess up my routine far too often. Don’t get discouraged, just get back into the routine. We’ll work on this together. Let’s keep praying for each other as we start this new school year and new healthy routines!