Having the opportunity to be around lots of children in the run-up to Christmas is one of the best things about working in a school.

There are little bits of joy that can brighten even the most difficult day, but you have to be as mentally and physically healthy as you can be to ensure that you recognise these. 

You can help to make a positive difference to your own wellbeing by trying these five activities every day.

1. Relax

Take some time to do something you enjoy doing, and make it a non-negotiable. It does not need to take a long time, it just needs to be something away from work and that you really love. Work can fill every minute of your life, but taking some time to stop and relax will give you more energy in the long run. It will put a smile on your face and help add to your reserves of good humour for the last few days of term.

2. Exercise

Dark mornings and early evenings make getting outside for a bit of exercise less attractive than usual. Try, though, to make some time to move around and get your heart beating a bit quicker every day. This could be as easy as taking a brisk walk outside at lunchtime, which would have the added benefit of giving you the chance to have a non-school based conversation with some colleagues if you can persuade them to join you.

3. Connect

Keeping in touch with people you care about is always important, but doubly so at this time of year. Taking a few minutes to contact an old friend or to make an extra call home will cost nothing but can bring a real feeling of happiness and contentment to yourself and the person you have contacted.

4 Sing!

School traditions are really important. They tell a story and create a structure for the whole school community. It’s great to revisit favourite songs, and Christmas at my school wouldn’t be the same without listening to the children singing It Was on a Starry Night. There are so many brilliant songs to choose from, though, so why not try a challenge and learn a new Christmas song that you can share with your class or the whole school, if you’re feeling brave? 

5. Take notice

There are always lots of emotions flying around schools in the run-up to Christmas. Not all children will have the Christmas they dream of, and it can be a pressured time for parents and teachers. If you look out for them though, there will be lots of special, happy moments you will see that will gladden your heart. Some children will talk excitedly about what they hope to get from Santa. Some will be looking forward to spending time with relatives they don’t get to see very often. Some will be proud of the presents they have bought for their family and friends. If you take the time and effort to talk to the children, listen carefully and notice these things - you can share in their  joy and make this busy time of year a particularly rewarding one as well.

If you search for #teacher5aday on Twitter you’ll see lots of examples of teachers sharing their ideas for improving their own wellbeing by following these five daily strategies throughout the year.

Roy Souter is headteacher at Stoke Hill Junior School in Exeter