Embrace the Power of Rest: How to Teach without Burnout
As educators, how can we continually give our best to our students while avoiding burnout?
Take a note from music (pun intended) and embrace the power of rest.
Music isn't just about the notes; it's equally about the silences in between- the rests. These musical pauses create contrast, drama, and tension, enriching the musical experience. Without rests, music would lose its full expressive capabilities.
Rests in life seem, at times, to be hard-won. In a culture committed to doing, we often forget to make time for being. Music teaches us that the pauses in life are JUST as important, if not more important, than the active elements of life.
Measured rests
Drawing parallels between musical rests and life, I see three ways we can incorporate rests into our lives.
Just as measured rests, like a half rest, specify the time devoted to silence, our bodies require sleep (preferably 6-8 hours each night).
Then, we have the equivalent of “breath marks” in life - the little moments in our days when we pause, regroup, take a literal big breath, and then return to our work.
Finally, there are the general pauses and caesuras. The length of these rests lies in the hands of the performer, reminding us of the agency we have in life to dictate how we rest.
Lately, I’ve realized that I’ve been running on empty juggling life's challenges and dreams. I'm learning that if I don’t incorporate these three kinds of rest into my life, I won’t achieve my dreams.
I'm committed to incorporating more rest into my life, and I invite you to join me.
Envision a life filled with energy and creativity, where you work from a place of abundance, not exhaustion. Begin by finding small ways to incorporate rest into your daily routine and experiment with longer periods of rejuvenation. You may discover new rituals that enhance your health and productivity.
Musical example of a breath mark of a musical staff
Food For Thought:
What is one way you can include more rest in your life?
Catherine Sipher is a remote piano teacher at Blossom Piano Studio, located outside Boston, MA. With over 20 years of piano teaching experience, nothing brings her more joy than sharing the beauty of music with her students. When not teaching, she can be found spending time in nature, writing, practicing yoga, and enjoying time with her 6 children.
Catherine Sipher
blossompianostudioma@gmail.com