UNDERSTANDING YOUR FESTIVE STRESS
Increasedworkload
Christmasalignswiththeendoftheschool term,oftenbringingawaveofmarking, reportingandadministrativetasks.This increasedworkloadcanresultinfatigue, burnoutandheightenedstresslevels.
Financialpressure
Decembercanbringfinancialpressure, frombuyinggiftsforcolleaguesto organisingactivitiesforstudents.This straincanreallytakeatollonyourmental health.
Festivecommitments
Balancingprofessionalandpersonal commitmentscanbechallenging. Maintainingahealthywork-lifebalanceis essentialtopreventyoufromfeeling overwhelmed.
Emotionaltoll
Forsome,Christmascanhighlight
leadingtoemotionalstressthatmay impactrelationshipsandjobsatisfaction.
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR HANDLING FESTIVE PRESSURES
PLANAHEAD
CreateaChristmas-specific to-dolist,prioritisingtasks basedonimportance. Useacalendartotrackkey dates,meetings&school activities.
Anticipatepotential changes&haveaplanBin case.
HANDLINGEMOTIONS
Surroundyourselfwith peoplewhowillupliftyour mood. Recogniseandacceptyour emotions&knowthatyou’re notaloneinyourfeelings. Reflectonpositivemoments &achievementsfrom throughouttheyear.
WORKLOAD
Allocatespecifictimeblocks fordifferenttasks. Setclearboundaries betweenwork&personal time.
Askyourcolleaguesfor support,theymayalready havetheresourcesyou need.
PERSONALPRESSURES
PlanChristmasspending wiselybysettingabudget. Simplifycelebrations& enjoymeaningful&costeffectivetraditions. Communicatewithfamily aboutChristmas expectations&onlymake realisticcommitments.
CREATINGSUPPORTIVE CLASSROOMENVIRONMENTS
Duringthefestiveseason,apositiveclassroom atmosphereiscrucial,tocreateaninclusiveandjoyful learningenvironmentforbothyourselfandyourstudents.
1.EmbodytheChristmasspiritbyinfusingtheclassroom withwarmthandcheer.ConsiderDIYfestivedecorations andrelaxingactivitiessuchasmindfulcolouring, Christmascrafts&festivepuzzles.
2.Recognisethatthistimeofyearwillinvolvevarious festivitiesandcommitmentsforbothyourselfandyour students,soslowdownthepaceoflessonstoallowstudents timetoreflectonwhatthey’velearntandincorporatefestive themingintolessons,tosustainengagement.
3.Decembercanbeachallengingtimeforsomechildren,so it'skeytorecognisediversetraditions,fosteringinclusivity. Encouragesharingtraditionstobuildunderstandingamong peers.Forthosewhoarestrugglingwiththefestivepressure, sticktotheirregularroutinesandshowsupportthrough smallactsofkindness.Providingalisteningearcanhelp alleviatetheemotionalstressachildmaybefeelingatthis timeofyear.
FESTIVE SELF-CARE FOR EDUCATORS
Amidthefestiveseason'shustle andbustle,educatorsplayavital roleinguidingandinspiringtheir students.
Butit’sjustasimportantto prioritiseyourownwellbeingbecauseself-careisn’taluxury, it’sanecessity.
Maintaina healthylifestyle
Maintainingabalanceddiet andregularexerciseroutineis essentialduringthefestive season.Nutritiousmealsand physicalactivitynotonlyboost energylevelsbutalsohelp managestressandimprove mood.
Prioritiseyour personaltime
Dedicatemomentsjustfor yourself-whetherit’s unwindingwithafavouriteTV series,listeningtouplifting musicorsimplyenjoyingsome quietrelaxation.Takingthistime helpsyouresetandrecharge, ensuringyoufeelrefreshedand readyforthedaysahead.
Incorporatingmindfulness techniquesintoyourdaily routine,suchasmeditation,deep breathingexercisesoryoga,can significantlyboostyourmental wellbeing.Thesepracticeshelp reducestress,improvefocus, andcreateasenseofcalm.
Keepyour mindactive
Stimulatingyourbrainduringthe festiveseasonisessentialfor maintainingmentalclarityand reducingstress.Challengeyourself bylearningnewskills,tackling puzzlesordivingintoanewbookactivitiesthatwillprovidea refreshingbreakfromthe Christmasrush.
Wellbeing resources
Thisbrochureisjustthebeginningofyour self-carejourney.There'sawealthofonline andofflineresourcesavailabletofurther supportyourwellbeing.
Embracingtheseresourcescansignificantly contributetoyourresilienceandhappiness, ensuringyouthrivepersonallyand professionally,all-year-round.
ONLINERESOURCES
Mind:Mentalhealthcharity providingsupport
EducationSupport:Offering mentalhealthandwellbeing supportforeducators
Headspace:Meditationand mindfulnessappfor stressreduction
NHSEveryMindMatters:An onlineplatformproviding practicalmental healthtips
OFFLINERESOURCES
ConsultwithyourGPfor professionalmentalhealth support
Seeksupportfrom professionalmentalhealth therapistsorcounsellors
Checkforlocalwellbeing supportgroups
TheSamaritans:Provides confidentialemotional support Callforfree24/7on116123
