The #SecretNotSecret – How to boost your joy and lower your stress.

I know a way to boost your happiness.
Lower your anxiety.
Reduce your stress.
Improve your focus.
You know it too…

Go outside on a sunny day!

This week in Sydney, after constant rain, the sun came out!
We had three stunning days of perfect weather.
I’m talking blue sky, yellow sun, green grass weather.
“Spring is nearly here!” kind of weather.

One of the BEST things about our job is that we don’t have to stay indoors.
We can soak up that magical vitamin D anytime.
This miracle ingredient is currently “on trend” because (surprise, surprise)… it works!
Add into the mix the joy that comes from simply being in nature, and you have a powerful wellbeing stimulant.

So why don’t we do it?
Why do we stay inside our classrooms on a glorious day?

Maybe it’s busyness –
There’s too much to do.
I must keep ploughing through these lessons.

But…
Science tells us the opposite.
My kids’ concentration and productivity increase exponentially when I take them outside for a 10-minute lesson break.
(So does mine.)

Maybe it’s routine –
It doesn’t even cross our minds.
Follow the plan.
Do what we always do.

But…
Breaks in routine are vital.
Change energises us all. It bursts through the boredom of a “normal day”and refreshes our hearts.

Maybe it’s technology –
We need our PowerPoint presentations.
On Wednesday, our school had an unplanned power outage.
It rattled us. It was good for us.
We had to figure out how to teach without a screen and a clicker.

But…
Technology can be tedious.
Presenting content in a variety of ways is incredibly beneficial. It helps our students better understand the concepts we cover. Using the same style and structure for every lesson, yawn… they tune out.

Maybe it’s behaviour –
We worry our kids will be silly outside.
We might lose control.

But…
Most kids, especially our tricky ones, love escaping the room.
The change of scenery, fresh air and sunshine are brilliant for them.
On Tuesday, I visited one of our tricky little people who was having a “moment”.
We went for a brief walk outside and passed a garden with tiny lizards. We stopped and watched them for a moment or two. He calmed down. We discussed his behaviour. He returned to his classroom, apologised for his tantrum and behaved well for the rest of the day.

Maybe it’s exhaustion
We can’t be bothered.
We are tired and simply don’t have the energy.
And that’s OK.
We’ve all been there.

But..
Being outside recharges US as well.
On Monday, I took my kids out for 10 minutes.
They were simply asked to do a lap of the bottom playground.
The high energy ones ran multiple laps, racing each other.
The quieter, “indoorsy” ones walked and talked.
What did I do?
I sat on a patch of grass in the sun (where I could see them all of course), and allowed myself to rest and recharge.
It was lovely.
Then we all went back inside and got on with it.
They were happier.
I was happier.

There is something about the outdoors that we all crave.
Vitamin D is essential to our wellbeing.
The healing power of nature, is real!
We weren’t created to be inside rectangular boxes with artificial lighting all day.

How to be a happy teacher …. Go outside on a beautiful day!

Thanks for doing this journey with me,
Jen

What are your favourite outdoor lessons?
Have you had a special outdoor moment with your class?
Share it in the comments below!