It's Okay To Rest

When there’s always one more thing to do, it can be hard for teachers to give themselves permission to stop. This short talk is a reminder that you don’t have to finish everything before you’re allowed to rest. Explore why pausing can feel so uncomfortable during the school day, and learn how to give yourself permission to take a few minutes to sit, breathe, and replenish your energy.

Part of the Radical Rest for Teachers collection, this talk was created specifically for educators.

Perfect for: classroom teachers, educators, instructional coaches, school staff, teacher wellness, teacher self-care, rest, permission to rest, work-life balance, teacher stress, emotional overload, burnout prevention, mindfulness for teachers, breathing, nervous system reset, emotional regulation, plan time, lunch break, after school, teacher wellbeing, and taking a pause.

Transcript

Hi there, Wonderful teacher friend. It's okay to rest for a moment during your lunch, Right after school, Or even during your planned time. It's okay to rest. Most likely, No one in your day will tell you that. Sometimes it can feel a little unnerving to take a rest because we think we should be pressing on with the next thing. There's so much going on every day. And we know as teachers that there's a never-ending to-do list no matter how quickly or efficiently we work. So what that means is there will never be a perfect time to rest. That's why it's so important to make that moment of rest happen for yourself when you need it. Since no one is going to create an awesome calendar event for you called Teacher Rest Time, Let's practice reminding your own brain that it's safe to take a few minutes of rest during your day. The more you practice speaking to yourself about rest in a guilt-free way, The more it will resonate in your body and you'll start finding small ways to make it happen. You might say things to yourself like, It's okay to rest. It's okay to be. It's good to sit and breathe. So let's practice what this feels like to simply rest. We're going to take notice of our very own breath. How are you breathing right now? Possibly a bit shallow. Maybe a bit quick. Usually, When we get busy during the day, We don't take enough full, Deep breaths. Notice your breath exactly as it is. You don't need to change it. And then, When you're ready, Invite a slower, Fuller breath. If your mind is already starting to think, Oh, But I just don't have time for this. I worry that I'm pausing when I should be doing. Remind yourself that we need rest in order to function our best. In order to make sound decisions. And you probably already know the research. You could easily find five articles right now explaining why rest is good for your brain. And still, Why is it so hard to actually do? Why can it feel so uncomfortable to pause for a few minutes? So let's practice these words again. It's okay to rest. It's okay to be. It's good to sit and breathe. The more you listen to these words, The more naturally you can begin to say them for yourself when you need them. You'll notice yourself naturally taking two or three minutes to pause and breathe for your own well-being. During those three minutes, It might look like closing your door. Sitting in a chair. Setting a timer on your phone, And noticing your inhales and exhales. And when your mind starts to drift to things you need to accomplish, Which it will probably do, What if you bring yourself back to the present moment by saying those gentle words to yourself? It's okay to rest. Remember, You don't need to earn a few minutes of rest or finish everything first. Keep giving yourself permission to pause and replenish your energy instead of pushing through simply because you feel like you must. You are allowed to pause. And I'll be right here again whenever you need a little reminder.