"Read & Ride"

Physical & Mental Health

Dear Readers,

When we left school on Friday March 13, 2020, I never thought we would not be going back for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. I remember being in a GHO with my department when Governor Cuomo announced NYS would continue remote learning through the end of the academic year. I was filled with mixed emotions.

I would not get to say goodbye to my 8th graders that would be headed to the high school.

We would not have end of the year traditions.

We would not have graduation for the class of 2020.

So many events & activities that "make up" the end of the year would have to be cancelled, postponed or revised.

An escape for me has always been reading and books. It took me a couple of weeks in quarantine before I could settle my mind and focus enough to read. Once I started, I couldn't stop. My mental health has revolved around #Read4Fun and YA literature.

I also realized I would not be "physical moving" anywhere as much as I do in the classroom. I typically average 10,000 steps or more daily. Luck would have it that I had purchased a recumbent exercise bike just before everything was shut down. 

I started "Reading & Riding" on an almost daily basis. I am currently up to an average of 6-10 miles while incorporating some small hand held weights. It is an easy ride, no Peloton workouts here, but it has kept my mind and body in a good place during the past few months.

We don't know where life will take us as we move forward. I hope you have found a way that works for you to maintain physical and mental health as much as possible during this difficult and challenging time we all face.

I am including the picture of books I have enjoyed. Sometimes it helps me to see the books, because we often do judge books by their cover. I have divided them into adult reads and YA reads. I have not read any PD books at this point. 

Stay safe.
Stay Healthy.

Warmly,
Teresa

Adult Reads

YA Literature