Mindful Monday: Stresslaxing

What does it say about us when we feel guilty for taking a break? What does it mean when the act of relaxing is stressful?

It's a vicious cycle. We can't work all the time. Yet when we're not working, often all we can think about are all the things still left to do and our never ending list that still needs our attention. 

Here's the deal. "Work-Life Balance" is a myth! The fact is, we work 5 out of the 7 days a week. We work 10 out of the 12 months of the year. Our work life and our personal life will never be a 50-50 split. 

However, that doesn't mean that we can't strive to implement a few more boundaries, or we can't work toward putting ourselves and our families first a little more often. 

I leave you with a challenge this week. When you are at school, give it your all. Do your best and know that your best is enough. On the flipside, when you leave for the day, leave knowing that you need the time away to rejuvenate and focus on other things like your family, hobbies, and yourself. Leave your worries and your to-do list at school; it will be there tomorrow. 

For my fellow educators out there who fully and totally identify with "stresslaxing", I beg you to start forcing yourself to step away, to take more breaks and to put yourself first more often. As uncomfortable and awkward as it might feel at first, I promise you that your mental health, your family, and your physical wellbeing will thank you! 

My final thought is to reframe how you look at taking a break. Too often we feel guilty for "doing nothing." Instead of thinking of it as nothing, think of it as investment in yourself.