The Importance of Rest for Coaches and Teachers

Daily writing prompt

Do you need a break? From what?

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As a high school teacher and coach, I have been going strong since school got out last year in June. Many people think that teachers are off all summer and for some that rule may apply. For those like me that are career coaches and teachers and coach multiple sports we are either at school or sleeping most of the time. I am a football coach (34 years) and wrestling coach (24 years) and still going. My summers are tied up with football workouts 2-3 days per week, summer wrestling camps and travel tournaments. I am at the end of a long stretch of 9 months of coaching two seasons both fall and winter and within two weeks will be done for a few weeks.

I look forward to just taking time after school to go to the YMCA and workout, walk and relax in the whirlpool. The month of March is my rest and recover month until I go back into spring football workouts and wrestling off season workouts beginning in April. It is a time for me to spend quality time with my wife and grown daughters. It is a time for me to rest, recoup and relax. I prepare myself physically, mentally and spiritually for the next 10 months of back to back sports, teaching, family stuff, running a family business and writing. I work 12-15 hours most days for the balance of that time period. I take part of June and 10 days in July and dedicate that to travel time with my wife and getting things done at home.

I look forward to getting off work on February 24th and going home. I look forward to seeing my little happy dogs, taking a nap and getting some fresh air. I look forward to getting some rest, relaxing and getting some workouts in. I set a goal to drop 10-15 pounds, walk five miles a week and be outside in nature. Then I go get it again because your dreams will not chase you, you have to chase them. It will soon be time for football season 35 and wrestling season 25. Until then, rest, relax and enjoy family, friends and getting outdoors for trout fishing, camping, four wheeling, mowing, gardening, boating and looking for bigfoot.

Coach B