Redefining Rest: How to Show Up Fully Charged

When’s the last time you let your phone drop to 0%? Probably not recently—we’re quick to recharge it at the first sign of low battery. But when was the last time you let yourself get to 0%? A humbling question to consider..

Most of us make sure our phones are charged to 100% every day. After all, who wants to deal with a dead phone? But do you apply the same level of care to yourself? Do you set aside time to recharge so you can perform at your best?

An educator in one of our Whole Teacher Cohorts once shared an insightful perspective on "Intentional Rest": she began to see her evening as the start of the next day rather than the end of the current one. This simple shift in mindset led her to make more intentional choices that truly rejuvenated her.

Redefining what rest means in our lives can help us refuel in a way that genuinely meets the needs of both body and mind.

This isn't to say that we should never just plop on the couch and watch TV. If you are drained physically, then that might be what your body needs. But here’s the thing—if this becomes our routine every evening, we may not be refueling in the ways that we really need. 

A typical day for you may include: managing 25+ students at a time, energetically and effectively communicating new skills, engaging students in meaningful practice while still managing behaviors, differentiating the material in a way that reaches each student appropriately, keeping your cool and embracing patience, compassion, and awareness, and so much more. Feels exhausting just reading it, right?

Educators' daily experiences vary significantly day to day. Teaching is unique in that it is deeply influenced by the experiences of others—specifically, your students. The needs of your students and the demands of the school can shift daily, meaning your energy is expended in different ways each day.

For example, one day might be physically draining—perhaps you acted out a play with your students, so your feet ache from standing all day and your muscles are sore from exercise the day before. This may not be the day you seek out a nice walk, but instead choose to stretch with your favorite show on before relaxing on the couch with a nice heating pad. 

However, this approach won’t fully restore and recharge you every day!!! So how do you recharge to 100%? You always ask yourself: what type of rest do I need today? Here are some examples:

• Mental Rest (caused by multitasking, decision-making, etc.)—meditate, turn off notifications on your phone, a type of exercise that helps you experience clarity can be mental rest
• Physical Rest (caused by being on your feet for more time than normal, soreness, etc.)—take a nap, use a heating pad on the couch, stretch, practice yoga, read  
• Emotional Rest (caused by negative co-workers, compassion fatigue, etc.)—talk with a loved one about the real feelings you have about the day, express thoughts in a journal, or other outlet such as dancing, drawing, cooking, etc.
• Creative Rest (caused by exuding creativity in preparing lessons, ways to manage student behavior, etc.)—allow yourself to find beauty rather than feel the need to create it, so seek out a body of water if you are near one to sit by, play with your dog, listen to music, read, etc.
• Sensory Rest (caused by overstimulation from too much noise throughout the day)—drive home in silence, close your eyes, walk in nature, etc. 

Being intentional about refueling your energy might feel like extra effort—you might just want to lay on the couch all night and avoid assessing what you truly need. However, it’s eye-opening to recognize that the simplest things can be the most rejuvenating. Understanding ourselves well enough to know what we need on any given day ignites a deep sense of self-awareness that lasts forever.

So, do something every day to restore whatever feels depleted—your physical energy, emotional energy, mental energy, etc. Always remember that what you need can be very different than what your coworker needs, what your partner needs, or what your children need. We all feel tired for different reasons based on our personal experiences each day. Our needs—and those of others—can change from day to day.

Redefining rest means understanding what your mind and body need each day to refuel effectively. That way, you can show up the next day fully charged for yourself, your students, your co-workers, and your family—supporting the life and career you deserve. 

It's acceptable to say nearly every Whole Teacher category is explored and prioritized when we redefine rest. 😂