Using the Outdoors to Prevent End of the Year Burnout

I feel like I blinked and the month of May was gone! With many personal commitments and end of the year tasks coming up in June the last couple of weeks have left me feeling exhausted. I wasn't able to get outdoors at much lately due to a busy schedule and definitely felt a shift in my mood and mindset. 

I am making it a priority moving forward in June to commit to spending at least an hour outdoors everyday. Whether that be before, during my work day, or in the evenings I need to get fresh air. 
Even after being on Recess supervision, I feel more alert, relaxed, and positive. 

In the past, some colleagues I have worked with have gone for a quick stroll around the block during lunch time to get some movement and fresh air in to break up the day. During peak Covid times, it was also fun bringing camping chairs and eating our lunches outdoors together. Depending on the day, I might go for a quick solo walk or ask a colleague to join and hopefully this will help give me something to look forward to as well as get a break from being inside the building.  

I am lucky to live right beside a 6 km shoreline trail with amazing views and nearby parks. One of my favourite things to do in the summer is take a book and wander around until I find a good reading spot and park myself there for the afternoon. I need to make this a more frequent activity rather than just saving it for designated "relaxation" summer mode.  



I've been feeling like I need to maximize productivity and just get things done so I can move onto the next thing. Reading Falkenberg's article on Contemplative Professional Practice helped me recognize that I often struggle being in the present and am always looking ahead to what's next. I think that by making time for the things that help me feel my best, like spending time in nature and moving my body, will help me end the school year on a positive note. My body often shuts down and I usually get very sick after stressful periods such as winter break after university exams, or even Spring Break. I think this is because I have so much cortisol pumping through my body to buckle down to get the job done that by the time I do get to "relax" my body just needs to rest. I am working on finding balance and am beginning to get better at recognizing when I am over-working myself. Though, I need to take some tips from Falkenberg and try to notice my stressors and emotions in the moment and do what I need to do to prioritize my well-being, despite all the other things that might be happening around me.    

Source:  
Falkenberg, T. (2012). Teaching as contemplative professional practice. Paideusis, 20(2), 25-35.

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