• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Kids Yoga Stories | Yoga and mindfulness resources for kids

Yoga cards, mindfulness resources, yoga books, yoga resources for kids.

  • Home
  • START HERE
  • BLOG
  • SHOP
  • *FREE Resources*
  • ABOUT
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Graduate-Level Professional Development
    • Media Kit
    • Sign Up for Newsletter
    • Printing Instructions
    • Download Troubleshooting
    • Kids Yoga Monthly FAQ
    • Guest Posts
    • Privacy Policy
  • KYM Login
  • Show Search
Hide Search

One Way to Tackle Teacher Burnout

Giselle · February 24, 2020 ·

How to prevent teacher burnout | Kids Yoga Stories

Tackle teacher burnout with a simple suggestion.

As I come back from a number of back-to-back appointments, I’m reflecting on how busy life can be and thinking about how to set boundaries for myself. 

We hear this a lot in our community, from teachers, parents, and health practitioners, that we’re feeling overwhelmed and that we have these high expectations for ourselves. We have so many pressures and demands in our lives.

And what I’d like to remind myself (and you) is that we are indeed in control of our lives. I know this seems obvious, but sometimes we forget, because we are such caregivers and we want to please everyone and take care of everyone.

But I’ve found one way to set up these boundaries is to have a “word of the year” that inspires you. It’s an overarching word (characteristic) that drives my year.

As an example, last year, I had the hardest year of my life. In January, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, my child was diagnosed with a special need, and my husband had some work issues. These are the three most important people in my life, and it felt like the rug had been pulled from underneath my feet. It was devastating, and nothing like this had ever happened to me with such intensity.

So I created this word, “calm,” for the year.

“Calm” for me meant that I:

  • needed to stop doing a number of things 
  • only practiced restorative yoga for months to calm my nervous system 
  • took on breathing exercises every single day 
  • reevaluated all my volunteer experiences I was involved in
  • cancelled parties that we were supposed to go to
  • worked on creating a calm and comfortable home 
  • helped guide my daughter through her mental challenges
  • looked at ways to make myself feel calm while being of service to others

Having that overarching word helped me look at my calendar to ensure that I was creating a “calm” life. I looked at what to add to my life and what to take out. 

This really made a difference to me, and I’m hoping that’s helpful to you, too. What’s your overarching emotion you want to feel this year, right now? 

And honestly, you might be a completely opposite position. For example, a couple of years ago, my word was “abundance.” Peggy, on a Kids Yoga Stories Facebook post, said she’s working on “grace,” and Leelou said her word of the year is “ignite.”

This year, I’m working on “peace.” Now that a lot of trauma has passed from last year, I’m working on creating a peaceful environment and hanging around peaceful people. I look for ways to remind myself of my special word throughout the whole year.

What I usually do is:

  • buy a gemstone for when I meditate
  • get some essential oil
  • find a cute little written piece with that word

I’d love to hear from you.

Do you have a “word of the year”? Does it help you to set boundaries?



What Matters to Me?

Many of us teachers and caregivers feel like we just don’t have time to work on the things we enjoy, connect with our students in a deeper way, create engaging lesson plans, or just take a moment to rest and breathe. We have too much on our plates, have a hard time saying no, and want to care of everyone.

One of the yoga sutras states, “Bringing your mind to a single focus will help eliminate life’s obstacles.”

In this downloadable booklet below, we’re going to reflect on what you feel are the most important things to you, so that you can start to set healthy boundaries in your life and begin to discover more of what lights you up. 

Let’s bring the joy back into our lives by reducing (or eliminating) what is pulling us down and increasing what makes us feel good.

By focusing on what matters to you, you can spend more time on your goals and dreams—ultimately reducing your stress and bringing yourself a sense of fulfillment, so you can be the best teacher you want to be!

Begin by clicking the link below, download the PDF, and start writing down what’s important to you. Choose someone or something in each of these categories: People, Practice, Passion, and Purpose. Then choose a “Word of the Year” that will act as your single focus, your north star.

teacher burnout | Figure out what matters to you | Kids Yoga Stories


Tell us in the comments below how this exercise helped you or email me directly to share your story!


MAY WE SUGGEST…

Mindful Teacher Pack: Manage inner chatter, promote physical relaxation, and bring some much-needed peace to your life.
Self-compassion yoga cards for adults | Kids Yoga STories

SAVE FOR LATER

One way to tackle teacher burnout (includes a free worksheet) | Kids Yoga Stories

If you liked this post, share it here:

Share on FacebookShare on PinterestShare on LinkedInShare on Email

Filed Under: Free Resources Tagged With: Challenges of being a teacher, how to manage stress as a teacher, how to reduce teacher stress, mindfulness for teachers, overwhelmed teacher

Primary Sidebar

FREE POSTERS

yoga poses for kids, kids yoga, yoga printables

Welcome

Giselle Shardlow Profile Image Welcome to Kids Yoga Stories. To create the yoga books, yoga and breathing card decks, and yoga and mindfulness classroom resources, I draw from my experience as an international teacher, a world traveler, a certified yoga teacher, and a mom to a spirited child. I’ve been practicing yoga practically my whole life, and after I became a mom, I fell in love with the idea of sharing yoga and mindfulness with my daughter. Read more.

Social

  • Facebook 34 K Likes
  • Pinterest 24 K Followers
  • Insta 7 K Followers

Recent Posts

  • 10 Calm Down Corner Ideas for Your Classroom – to Help Students to Breathe, Take a Break, and Regulate
  • How to Do Yoga Games with Large Groups of Kids (+ Printable Poster)
  • How to Apply for Grants for School Yoga Programs
  • St. Patrick’s Day for Kids: Books and Yoga Poses (+ Printable Poster)
  • Learn about Jane Goodall through Books and Movement
  • Ripple Effects of Mindfulness in Schools




POPULAR YOGA PRODUCTS FOR KIDS

Yoga Cards Collection Image
Yoga Cards for Kids
Yoga Book Collection Image
Yoga Books for Kids
Yoga Bundles Collection Image
Yoga Bundles for Kids
Teaching Resources Image
Teaching Resources
Yoga Pose Image
Yoga Pose Images for Kids

POPULAR YOGA RESOURCES

Yoga Poses Image
Yoga Poses for Kids
Seasonal Image
Seasonal Yoga Lesson Plans
Monthly Yoga Image
Monthly Kids Yoga Themes
Holiday Yoga Image
Holiday Yoga Lesson Plans
Kids Yoga Class Ideas Image
Kids Yoga Class Ideas

QUICK LINKS

About Us
Contact Us
Store
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Refund Policy

SOCIAL

Link to Twitter Image
Link to Facebook Image
Link to Pinterest Image
Link to YouTube Image

GET FREE UPDATES

Yoga tips and kids yoga resources delivered weekly to your inbox from Kids Yoga Stories!

SIGN UP

Copyright © 2023 · Kids Yoga Stories LLC · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy