Making Productive Rest a Priority
Making productive rest a priority is one of the biggest indicators of future creativity, accuracy, enjoyment and success.
Did you know…?
Productive rest allows your body to recuperate spent energy while only working on essential activities. This then allows the brain time to recalibrate. It processes old information to make room for new information. It begins to work at higher rates of speed leading to accuracy. Since there is more room and space in the brain, creativity comes to the forefront leading to more enjoyment. Therefore, productive rest results and more success overall.
Productive Rest in Education
Educators are one of the few professions that require all four characteristics on a daily basis- creativity, accuracy, enjoyment and success. This means educators need to make productive rest a priority, especially over long breaks away from the classroom. These tend to happen quarterly in the school calendar with fall break, holiday break, spring break, and a final break for summer.
Educator burnout is on the rise for various reasons, but lack of productive rest is at the forefront of the stack. (For additional information and support on educator burnout visit Amber at Burned-in Teacher.) Prioritizing productive rest means educators need to plan and prepare for these upcoming breaks.
The R.E.S.T. acronym will help educators do that:
R = Rejuvenate and Rest
The only way to regain energy and brain clarity is allow the body to shut down. This means sleep, relax, and spend quality time with friends and family. During wake hours, instead of intense focus, try dabbling in various hobbies that bring excitement and wonder.
E = Ease & Efficiency
Working isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But overworking certainly is. Be productive by prioritizing tasks and completing them in manageable chunks. Allowing the brain to work is healthy and being intentional with how often and at what speed ensures it receives adequate rest to rejuvenate.
S = Set Goals & Boundaries
Decide what tasks are essential and only make room for those. Set goals for what to accomplish over a productive rest time period. Plan to protect time and energy from other things fighting for attention (ie. shiny object syndrome).
T = Take a Tech Break
Unplug. Taking a break from everyday technology use signals a change in environment and the brain begins the rejuvenation process. Instead, get outside for fresh air and exercise.
Productive rest is leads to future creativity, accuracy, enjoyment and success. All of which educators need most. Be sure to implement this strategy over the upcoming holiday break!
Meanwhile, do you need help with implementing a productive rest system that works for you? Grab a 1:1 coaching call with me to create goals, boundaries, efficient systems and more!
Go Be Great!
How will you implement productive rest into your schedule?
About the author, Gretchen
I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.