long day survival tips

[Zoe Girl]

School starts next Thursday, I am short one morning shift person. I was saying in my meditation month post what this means is that I will be in programming 6:15-8:15 am, have mid-day open for meetings and other work, then get ready and do afternoon programming from about 3- 6. My drive home is 40 minutes so maybe one day a week I will go home and take a nap. Monday nights I stay in the area and go to meditation group so that is a super long day. I have done this before but just subbing mornings, not regularly covering all mornings (yes I am trying to hire and we are short staffed all across our 50 programs).

My ideas of dealing with this are
* closing the office door and meditating 30 minutes a day
* putting aside computer and all work for a 30 minute lunch
* bring lots of food!

I need help with how to deal with so many meals at work. I am thinking of my favorite energy bar and an orange in the morning. I am pretty well set on lunch ideas. But already I am seeing that the 40 minute drive home is very tempting to stop for fast food or junk food snacks. I love this one rather fancy canned drink and found out I can buy a case at 10% off at Natural Grocers. That is still $1.50 per can, but somewhat healthier than drinking soda or stopping at Starbucks. I have a fridge at work to store drive-home snacks at least.

[19Sandy]

School here starts in early August. Most years there are a lot of snow days. Last year was mild so not any! That is why they start early here though. One year kids got a 5 week winter vacation instead of two.

[Zoe Girl]

We have had extensive construction here, that is why we are starting so late. We closed one week early and are opening about 3 weeks later, that means I have not been in my building for 3 months! (but I worked camps and other programs) The school is gorgeous! Lots of flexible learning spaces, I have a great room for my office and a small after school group. We all got new shelves in our rooms and teachers got new desks and chairs, some rocking style chairs for the kiddos who are wiggly. We still have construction people all over the school trying to get it all done before Thursday, phone systems not totally set but I have a work cell that everyone calls me on anyway. I will be in this weekend getting ready, the primary location of my program is the cafeteria and they waxed the floors and locked us out on Friday so I can't set up my parent board and everything yet.

[Gardnr]

How about a cheese stick before you get in the car for the drive home? Low cal protein and it can fill you enough to get you home for dinner.

Can you pre-cook and freeze proteins on the weekend for weeknight dinners? Each night after dinner, take something out for next night and plan add-ons doing the prep before you do your dinner dishes?

I empathize with your long days. Sounds like you have a great self-care plan!

[Zoe Girl]

I love cheese, I could do a variety of cheeses. Plus one of the kid snacks that tends to have leftovers are cheese sticks and carrots. I forgot that during the school year I never have to buy a carrot again!

The cooking when I get home is pretty fast, I am getting so organized but I don't want to totally be OCD. I realized last year I just wandered around snacking and wondering what to eat most nights. So now I have a plan, Monday is sandwiches, Tuesday soup or salad, and so on. I can cook more elaborate on the weekend and some extra for lunches.

[greenclaire]

As I said on another thread, I'm a teacher and often do these crazy hours too. Things I try and do:

- follow the '5 a day for wellbeing' (http://www.mind.org.uk/workplace/mental-health-at-work/taking-care-of-yourself/five-ways-to-wellbeing/) : Connect, Learn, Exercise, Notice and Volunteer. Connect - basically try not to deal with everything alone, work with other people where possible and talk things through with others. Learn - remember each day is a learning experience, spend some time learning and reflecting on the day (I'm lucky in some ways that I commute to work by public transport so have 30-40mins each morning and evening on the bus to read and reflect). Exercise - I try to walk a couple of miles a day and fit in other things like swimming in the week too. Notice - basically mindfulness type meditation but I'm going to try with the new term (we start on Monday) to fit in some sitting meditation before work too. Volunteer - doesn't have to be formal volunteering but that feeling of helping someone: students, colleagues or friends.

- meal plan and batch cook in advance (or use a crock pot). I try to include snacks too as like you, otherwise I'd just graze!

- have a rest / fun day at the weekend to recover and look forward to. Even if it's something simple like a long soak in a bath or chance to sit and actually read something non-work related.

[Gardenarian]

When I used to work long days like that, I would take a nap in my car. Always kept a pillow and blanket in the back seat. Meditation sounds much healthier, but I need a lot of sleep.

I used to bring packets of instant cocoa and make a cup in my travel mug for the ride home. It felt substantial enough to keep me going.

Your post made me feel very grateful for retirement :)

[Zoe Girl]

oh yes, I have a pillow and blanket in my car too!! I have no issue taking a nap on a regular basis. I think it is much better sometimes than meditating, I really need that restoration time of sleep.

I could do a chai latte for my way home, that is what I would get at the expensive starbucks stop. I could easily make my own out of mix or tea and milk. That would be especially good for cold days.

[Tradd]

What about keeping a jar of PB at work and taking apples that you eat with it?

[Zoe Girl]

All good ideas, I have had 2 days so far. I sooo need a morning person however. Last night I ate little cheeses, I made sure I have a drink in the car too.

I am totally ready for my weekend!