Student teaching has been going very well and I am enjoying every minute of it. It can often be exhausting. I often come home with a huge headache and have to make a strategic withdrawal to my bed for a few hours before waking up and getting some work done for the university as well as planning lessons the next day. So I started to wonder, what causes these headaches?
Well, the first point I identified was that I was getting dehydrated. I would drink a very small powerade at lunch and that was about it. We often think about dehydration in terms of walking in a desert or doing physically demanding jobs; but we often are not reaching the reccomended water intake during the work day and even at home. I have sense cured this problem by bringing in a nalgene bottle everyday. (Save the environment!)
The headaches still persist sometimes, so what else do I focus on? I have started to eat very little in the morning. This use to be a no no for me since my stomach often would continue to sleep for an hour or so after I woke up. It appears that it is getting into the habit of waking up with me in the morning though which has allowed me to eat minor meals such as a banana or a piece of toast.
Lastly, while the students are quietly working or at specials (art, physcial education, music) I will sit in my chair and just take a few deep breaths. In through the nose for 3 seconds, hold for three seconds, out the mouth for three seconds. Just this basic breathing exercise while concentrating on releasing some of the day's stress can be a tremendous benefit.
Everyone's body is different. What is important is that you analyze what causes you distress, and then see if you can adjust your lifestyle slightly to reduce that stress.