Have Lunch in the Lounge

Kids are amazing.  Most people who have become teachers would agree with that statement. 

However, as great as kids are, its important to find time for adult interaction.  Spending time with other adults can remind us of reality, encourage us when we are down, and inspire us with new ideas and perspectives. 

As tempting as it can be to remain in your classroom all day... Don't!  I know the work can pile up and its so easy to just "take a working lunch" and eat your lunch at your computer while grading, prepping for your next lesson, or responding to emails.  It's also easy to end up spending your lunch and recess or nutrition breaks with your students.  You feel like your day is so jam packed you have to take advantage of every opportunity to follow up with that one kid about his behavior, or catch up the student who has been absent, or ask so and so what's been going on in their life because you can sense something is different.  Also, a common habbit new teachers get into is using their lunches and breaks as a type of detention or study hall for their students.  It's important to realize that in the long run, this practice tends to hurt the teacher more than it benefits the student.

Based on my own personal experience (and I'm a very introverted person by the way) eating lunch with other teachers has been an important compenont of maintaining my sanity at school.  No matter how busy things get, I always try to take my lunch in the teacher's lounge.  This practice has been proven to support my overall mental and physical health for several reasons:

1) It forces me to stop working for a moment and enjoy food that will replinish and sustain me

2) I can engage in conversation that has nothing to do with work or school and get a glimpse of reality for a moment

3) I can vent my frustrations and concerns to adults who "get me" instead of taking it out on my students

4) I can collaborate with my colleagues in a casaul way and get advice from insight from others in the field

5) It allows me a moment to take a deep breath and meet my own basic needs so that I can return to the classroom energized and refreshed