What gives you energy when teaching online all day??

[Trulyatraditionalman]

I teach one-to-one music lessons all day, for 9 or more hours a day. I'm so bloody grateful that I can still work, but it's intense, it's tiring and I have to do it for 5 days a week. I feel so sluggish just sat there!

I'm asking you lovely lot. How do you keep energised to get through such a long day of screen time?? Any tips would be hugely appreciated!

This is me. I drink LOTS if coffee. Lessons are 55 minutes and I have 5 minutes between each session. Not going to lie, it's exhausting but I am currently the only income in my family

@heartofstrings I've got through nearly a whole packet of coffee myself in the last 2 weeks 😬

I think we all find it so draining because we over-exert ourselves online trying to make sure we are loud enough when speaking, when in reality we are shouting! One-to-one lessons are intense anyway, but online the day seems overwhelming sometimes. I still love teaching, it's just so hard to not become utterly exhausted and all-consumed by it!

Switch your camera off when not needed and stretch your legs/ do some quick exercises. Drink lots of water/ tea. Look away from the screen for a few seconds every few minutes to reduce the strain on your eyes. Glasses over contacts. SAD lamp if you have one.

Also teaching music online, although my schedule isn’t as punishing as yours. I have 6-7 hours spread out across the day in half hour lessons. I’m knackered too! Make sure you get outside at lunchtime and walk round the block. Follow the 20/20/20 rules for your eyes. I have my iPad on the windowsill so I can refocus on trees and houses to let my eyes adjust when the kids are playing. Get lots of sleep. Eat well and lay off the wine during the week!
It’s really hard isn’t it? The lessons are actually going really well and I’m enjoying delivering them but it’s so tiring!

@tanaria Unfortunately I'm always needed for demonstrating on my instrument etc so I can't turn my camera off! I do wear glasses and try not to stare intently at the screen too much, but sometimes it's hard not to when studying a student's finger patterns etc. Never thought of a SAD lamp - that would be a good idea!

@thegonnagle iPad on windowsill is a lovely idea! You have my sympathies. It's so hard! Especially as was getting back into the swing of in-person between Sep and Nov, and then it all tumbled down again. So much admin as well!

Also, if you have any coloured overlay for teaching dyslexic pupils you can try them over the screen and see if it eases the eye strain. The yellow one works best for me!

Full time teacher here - teach about 5 hours a day but then there are on line meetings as well........I am finding it hard as I am not used to being on a screen all day.

I have a form to fill in for equipment needed - currently I am working at our small dining room table with one of my daughters - my back and shoulders are aching.

I try and get outside for a brisk walk every day, it really makes a difference.

My learners are over 18 and videos are all on. They are also students whose 1st language is not English. It has been interesting getting them all on to Teams!!

It is not ideal but it is also great to see them every week even if it's on a screen.

And yes! The admin is incredible - non stop.

9 hours a day is a LOT! Do you have breaks in between?

I find doing 5 minutes yoga stretching or HIIT helps. Doing stretches that counteract being hunched over a screen is vital.

Having a coffee break at the kitchen door, even if it's raining, just to feel air on my face and watch the birds on the feeder.

Take a proper lunch break and go for a 30 minute walk. I try to do this most days.

Make sure you have really nice, easy to cook healthy food in for dinner.

Try to avoid too much screen time in the evenings. I do slump in front of TV a lot but feel far better if I go to bed with a good book, or wrap up and take a night walk to look at the stars.

Have 'office hours' once a week where you deal with student/parent emails. At other times send out a generic reply that Truly is currently in a teaching session and will reply to your email on Saturday morning.

Make sure you plan fun stuff for at least half a day each weekend - something to look forward to, something you have done which breaks up the monotony.

Staring at screens is so tiring, teaching online is draining, and my neck is so sore now despite all the stretching. And I do half the hours you do!

@Labobo My day yesterday is the longest and that was 8.30-12.30 back to back, followed by 1.00 - 2.30. 75 minute break, then 4 - 7.45. So at least I get a bit of a break mid afternoon, but I can't switch off because I know I have more to come! Feels relentless.

Some great ideas there. Thank you! I will try and go for a run this evening and then curl up with a book, instead of retiring to the TV as per usual.