January 19, 2012 / Staff Fun

Keep your staff and yearbook moving during the winter months

Written by Elizabeth Braden, CJE

It’s the middle of winter and your students are working hard, but they may be slowing down a bit. Days of limited daylight and less time outdoors may be taking its toll. So, get your staff moving to keep the doldrums and stress at bay.

Brain teasers and small bursts of exercise will help them clear their brain and keep them inspired as they continue to work on their yearbook.

Everyone needs to take a break from behind a desk or computer. Maybe you can even invent your own stress reliever as a staff tradition. Here are some ideas to get you going.

  • Stand and sing TV show theme songs for a few minutes. The theme to Spongebob Squarepants is always fun.
  • Try some improvisation. Have your staff create a story, with each person adding one word at a time. You might need to stand in a circle.
  • Twenty jumping jacks are always good for a break.
  • Wham-O produced its first Frisbees on Jan. 13, 1957. Take your staff outside or to the cafeteria or gym to stretch and throw a few.
  • TV Game Show Day is Jan. 24, the birthdate of Mark Goodman, the producer of many such shows. Play a TV game show game, such as Jeopardy!, using journalism/yearbook questions.
  • Play the game Twister.
  • Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day, Jan. 30. If you have some, let your staff pop it.
  • As long as staff members are not sick, and the temperature is not frigid, put on coats and go walk around the building once. This will boost morale on a sunny day.

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Elizabeth Braden, CJE

Elizabeth Braden, CJE, is the former editor of Idea File magazine. Before retiring, she was a copywriter for Walsworth Yearbooks for more than 15 years, writing articles for various marketing materials, and proofreading copy for the Yearbook and Commercial divisions. Her career included reporting and editing for United Press International and editing for Knight-Ridder Financial News. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Media News from the University of Tulsa.