How do teachers restore themselves?

Exercise and adequate amounts of sleep are key! Another key element is taking time to network with colleagues. It seems that I can get so much more accomplished, and be a lot more positive in the classroom when those three key elements are in place.

I'm with Nicole on this one. Meditation does the trick. Reading a feel good novel works too.

What I do to relax is plenty of reading and taking "staycations" at the beach, my husband is a lifeguard during the summers!" Listening to music and watching cartoons. Yes I said cartoons! To me watching cartoons helps me to relive being a young girl and enjoying life as a child.

It is good to hear some of the responses. This is my first time posting, and I am trying to redirect my own energy.

Over the summer, I read The Happiness Project. There were many sections of the book which were meaningful, but one phrase stuck out to me. Not sure if I agreed with the theory or not, but I thought it was worth a shot. In her book, the author researched "venting". Did it really help? After extensive research, she could not find any proof that venting when frustrated actually helped the person venting or those around the person. So, I thought I would give it a shot. Instead of venting, I try to meditate - not being a person good at self reflection and meditation - this was a big stretch or redirect my thoughts. For now, I seem to be more energized. Who knows if it will last, but it is working for now:)

There are many ways that my wife and I recharge over summer/winter/spring break, long weekends, and sometimes even regular weekends. During the school year, leaving everything work related at work for the weekend is usually the easiest. Yes, the first time you do it you feel a bit guilty and it is this guilt that keeps you from doing it too often. Long weekends are a great time to go for an overnight trip somewhere. Doesn't have to be over the top, as a matter of fact the best is to go stay at a friends house or with a really close relative, ours happens to be my in-laws place believe it or not. HA! Over longer breaks, it is great to just relax and not think about the current or past year but maybe plan for the next...especially over the summer. These breaks are also a great time to go to conferences to get fresh ideas on new techniques to try in your classroom or new bits of technology to play with or even a new book to read. Any way to keep it all fresh and new in your mind is a great way to recharge yourself and keep yourself away from the burn out.

I have never been a classroom teacher in a school, but I have had emotionally demanding jobs as an internal and external organisational development (OD) consultant. OD is about helping an organisation, or part, question and change its culture and practice, so it becomes more effective and happier. It's not easy.

I have found coconsulting very useful, and I think it could work just as well in schools. You find another professional, not necessarily from the same profession, and arrange to talk face to face or on the phone etc. For (say) the first half hour one of you talks over any issue in complete confidence and the other person is your "consultant". Typically the "consultant" will listen intently, ask thought provoking questions, help you express what you feel, maybe offer another viewpoint for you to consider. After half an hour you switch roles and do it the other way around. You will get new insights, feel supported and practice some important helping skills. It costs just time and perhaps some travelling. There is a longer article here http://www.nickheap.co.uk/articles.asp?ART_ID=37. I have been using this approach for nearly 40 years and it's still proving rewarding! If you have a go, please let the group know how you get on.