11 MAR 2016

FE Professionals - How To Maximise Your Easter Break

Those who don't have much experience with the Education Sector would probably read the title of this blog and let out a big sarcastic "HA!" before grumbling that 13 weeks holiday a year is a ridiculous luxury (as they rapidly turn a deep envy-green.)

HA! Those who don't have much experience with the Education Sector would probably read the title of this blog and let out a big sarcastic "HA!" before grumbling that 13 weeks holiday a year is a ridiculous luxury (as they rapidly turn a deep envy-green.) But hey ho, this post isn't for them, and it's not even to join the counter-chorus-cheer of "Don't you know how hard they work! They don't get the whole holiday off!" (Yes, we know that, and so do they.) Today we are more concerned with helping our Lecturers and Teachers to make the most of their time off, because, quite simply, they need to. Educating is blooming hard work with long hours, many of which spill over into 'holiday' time, and being able to unwind is crucial if you don't want to end up a burnt out, exhausted wreck on your return to the melee... ahem sorry classroom. So, without further ado...

Here are our top tips to help Lecturers and Teachers maximise their Easter Holiday

1. Plan Your Holiday Break

You'll know the saying 'prior planning and preparation prevents piss poor performance' (or possibly a politer version) but it is very true - a bit of planning  can make all the difference. Working out how much time you've got, what you need to get done, what you'd like to get done, when you're going to do what, and getting it down on paper/a calendar can be a real mind-soother. We're rather fond of lists over here as putting it on paper allows you to stop spinning it around your noggin constantly so you can focus on what you're doing - and only that. Think of it as a brain organising exercise, rather than building a rod for your back! Don't get too stressed about the list or weigh yourself down with too many plans or deadlines as it defeats the point. Also don't get too down in the dumps if your workload encroaches rather a lot on your Easter break, because research shows short vacations of 4-5 days can have just as positive effects on health and wellbeing as vacations as luxuriously long as 9 days. By making a plan you can work out how many hours or days you'll need to be working / doing chores (hopefully not the whole holiday!) and when you can book yourself up for more enjoyable activities, such as...

2. Spend Time with Awesome People

Here we really mean your mates. The people who you feel all warm and fuzzy after seeing (not just due to the vino/beer.) It's easy to forget how good it feels to spend time with someone who you get on with, who "gets you", and who you can just relax and be yourself around. Seeing old friends also gives you the chance to change your scene and explore places you aren't able to during term time. Whether it's a new restaurant you wanted to try or an old haunt you've missed, taking some time to change your setting is a good way to unwind. It's good for the soul and good for the head and we thoroughly recommend digging out the diary and making plans for some quality time with those you care about.

3. Enjoy Some Good Ol' R&R

I realise this isn't going to be possible for all of you, particularly if you've got children, but do try to put your feet up and enjoy some rest and relaxation! You could watch a load of your favourite films, or a new one you've clocked, get stuck into a new book, or pop down to the spa and treat yourself to a massage and manicure.

4. Disconnect to Distract

To make the most of your downtime, you need to stop thinking about work. That simply isn't possible if your phone is pinging away with College emails, so the simple step is to disable them and make sure all those irksome notifications are well and truly off. Now, the trick is to keep not looking at them until you return to College! It may also be helpful to disconnect from anything to do with College while you're in your R&R phase. Seeing colleagues often leads to talking about work, so perhaps avoid this if that suits you.

5. Move Yourself

Whether it's walks in the park, runs on the beach, or yoga in a yurt, doing exercise of any form is a wonderful way to clear the mind and unwind. It also usually neccitates getting out of the house, which helps us feel a sense of purpose crucial to recuperation. Excercise will help you take your thoughts away from College, recuperate and recover so you're your old self again, and if you'd like to combine the excercise factor with R&R, then laughter could well be your answer, as it's a super way to relax!

6. Get Mindful

If you're doing all this and still struggling to unwind and your brain just wont stop churning thinking about work, then its time you tried mindfulness; the practice of being mentally present. Here are some simple mindfulness techniques you can try to help you anchor yourself in the present moment. The idea is to calm the mind and slow the thoughts, which is both enjoyable and incredibly beneficial for our state of mind.

What are your top tips?

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