How Can We Help Our Students Better Manage Changing Schedules to Achieve a Healthy Balance?
Summer is here, and with it comes a complete shake-up of routines. Gone are the structured school days and the steady rhythm of extracurricular activities. Instead, we face a season where schedules can flip from zero to sixty and back again. While this flexibility can be refreshing, it also presents a challenge: How do we help our students manage these changing schedules and maintain a healthy balance?
Welcome to Beyond the STEPS
Embrace a Flexible Structure
Even in the chaos of summer, having some form of structure can be a lifesaver. It doesn't have to be rigid; just a few anchor points in the day can make a big difference. For instance, setting consistent wake-up times, regular meal times, and designated periods for activities can help students maintain a sense of routine.
Balance Activity with Rest
One of the biggest challenges during summer is finding the right balance between activity and rest. Students might go from weeks packed with intensive training or camps to weeks with little to no scheduled activities. It's crucial to encourage a balance that includes both physical activity and downtime. Physical activities can include anything from organized sports to family walks, while downtime can be as simple as relaxing with a book or taking a leisurely stroll.
Prioritize Sleep
Sleep often becomes a battleground during the summer months. With no school to wake up for, students are tempted to stay up late and sleep in. While some flexibility is okay, maintaining a regular sleep schedule is important. Aim for 8-12 hours of sleep depending on their activity level. Remind students that consistent, quality sleep is essential for their overall well-being and performance.
Incorporate Relaxation and Stress Relief
With the hustle and bustle of summer activities, it's easy to forget the importance of relaxation. Encourage students to engage in activities that promote mental well-being. This could be anything from yoga and meditation to simply taking a walk in nature. Teaching students to recognize when they need a break and how to effectively unwind can help them manage stress better.
Maintain Healthy Nutrition
Summer brings with it a tendency to indulge in snacks and treats. While it's perfectly okay to enjoy the occasional ice cream or popsicle, maintaining a baseline of healthy, nourishing meals is key. Start the day with a nutritious breakfast and try to include balanced meals throughout the day. Encourage students to listen to their bodies and find a balance that includes both treats and healthy foods.
Encourage Social Interaction and Fun
Summer is also a time for students to relax and have fun. Ensure they have opportunities to connect with friends and engage in activities they enjoy. Whether it’s playing a sport, going for a swim, or simply hanging out with friends, social interactions are vital for their mental and emotional well-being.
Use Tools for Organization
Staying organized can significantly reduce stress and help students keep track of their activities and responsibilities. Tools like whiteboards, planners, or digital calendars can be very effective. These tools can help students plan their days, set goals, and ensure that they’re not forgetting important tasks or activities.
Regular Check-Ins
Finally, regular check-ins can be incredibly beneficial. Take the time to talk to your students about their schedules, how they’re feeling, and any adjustments they might need. This open communication can help identify any issues early on and provide the support they need to maintain a healthy balance.
Navigating the changing schedules of summer can be challenging, but with a little planning and flexibility, students can achieve a healthy balance. By embracing structure, balancing activity and rest, prioritizing sleep, incorporating relaxation techniques, maintaining healthy nutrition, encouraging social interaction, using organizational tools, and having regular check-ins, we can help our students make the most of their summer while staying balanced and healthy.
Remember, summer is a time to recharge and have fun. With the right approach, students can enjoy their break and return to their regular routines feeling refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges.
** Do you have any summer tips that you and your dancer use?! Let us know your favorite ways to take full advantage of the summer in the comments!
Continue your Education for yourself and your students with the StEPS Initiative Course!
About the StEPS Initiative Course
This course started in part with our charity event we created to save dance studios. Then we decided to keep it a free resource for the dance community. You can learn all about it below.
As part of our commitment to education and creating a safe space for all dancers, we are excited to introduce the StEPS Initiative Course. This has been curated by Apolla and donated from experts and professionals in each topic.
Our goal in creating this course is to give dance teachers continuing education/professional development, give dancers the power of education, and provide parents the knowledge to see red flags. Each section has actionable items that can unite dance studios focused on equity and creating a safe space for every dancer. This course gives evidence-based information, some perspective & qualitative information, dance history, and further resources that can help you learn something new that helps progress and strengthen your studio OR solidify what you already have in place. There is something for everyone!
This course is free for EVERYONE (Apolla has covered the cost and the presenters have donated the course content). These are meant to be introductions and actionable items for you. We know this is not a silver bullet to fix every issue or topic that needs to be addressed in dance. Each topic is deep and broad on its own. However, we aim for this to be the first step for some of us in these topics and even serves as a small catalyst for change in our industry. You will see there are also many resources that can allow you to expand your journey further in any of the subjects. With all that 2020 has thrown at all of us, we are determined to heal through listening, grow from adversity through action, and rise up by bringing everyone together. In the end, we will create a space open wide for the new generation of artists and athletes to ring in the new decade stronger and safer than ever!
https://apollaperformance-stepsinitiative.thinkific.com/courses/start
Watch our Beyond the StEPS Episode on: “How can we help our students better manage changing schedules to achieve a healthy balance?” With our hosts Bri and Melissa, and special guests Jess Spinner!
