Thank you Council For Responsible Nutrition for sponsoring this post. I am proud to be one of the 170 million Americans who take dietary supplements each year!
As a teacher and a mom to three kids, I am very familiar with the mid-year burnout that often happens with students and teachers. There comes a point, usually sometime in March, where it feels like the day-to-day routine of school, homework, after school activities (and repeat the next day) takes a toll on everyone in the family. My husband is a teacher as well, so our entire household can feel the sluggishness that academic drain brings about.
In order to try to not lose ourselves in routine, my husband and I try to break up the school year with mini trips. We visit local attractions, which is easy to do in NYC, and also explore surrounding areas. We’ve even spent a weekend in a hotel with a pool JUST to get out of the house! Here are some tips I’ve compiled of ways we try to avoid feeling the burnout during the school year:
Avoiding Burnout During the School Year
Stay organized.
The better organized your home and work life is, the less chance of feeling overwhelmed and consumed by routine. Creating an organized home and workspace can be a challenge, but I’ve found that with the use of labels, storage bins, and personalized hanging folders, we are able to stay on top of the clutter and keep an organized home.
Take small trips.
This helps break up the school year a bit and gives a great balance of special family time. We always feel like we are on-the-go during the school week, and we don’t see each other enough. On the weekends we try to spend as much time as possible making new memories and strengthening our family bond. Whether it’s a weekend away or just a quick trip to play tourist in our city, there is always something to see and somewhere new to explore.
Practice self-care
This is important for everyone in the family but starts with the parents. Children see everything you do. From eating healthy to exercising and taking supplements. I often catch my husband explaining to the kids why it’s important to balance healthy options at every meal in order to be able to enjoy that special treat. My entire family uses some type of supplement. Everyone takes a probiotic, but our nutritional needs vary from person to person, and after speaking with our doctor, we know exactly what we need. I take extra iron, calcium, and Vitamin D. My youngest two need extra fiber, while my oldest uses melatonin periodically. My husband takes a multivitamin that is formulated for his needs. Did you know that dietary supplement users are more likely to engage healthy habits such as exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet than non-users? This is according to a 2017 survey from the Council for Responsible Nutrition. While we use supplements, we know they aren’t meant to replace real foods and nutrients.
RELAX
Don’t pile too much on your plate. Learn to say no to situations that would add stress to your life. I’m still learning how to do this, but I’m getting better as I age. I’ve learned that I need to do what is good for my family and myself first, and not to overcommit to situations, events, or people, if I know it would be hard to follow through.
Do you have ideas on how to avoid burnout during the school year? I would love to hear them!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.