With COVID-19, teachers are feeling added pressure on top of their demanding workload. We have so much responsibility on a day-to-day basis that it's no wonder we can become burnt out. Remember the saying you have to put on your own oxygen mask first before you can help others? The same is true for teachers. Taking care of our mental health and overall well-being will allow us to stay balanced and give our best version of ourselves to our students. Today I want to share with you 4 self-care tips that you can begin implementing right away!
Self-Care Tip #1: Set Boundaries
To keep up with the never-ending to-do list it seems that arriving at school early, leaving late, and working on the weekends is the only way to stay afloat. Even before the pandemic teachers were always expected to go above and beyond. However, whether you are teaching in-person or remote it DOES NOT mean you are on call 24/7. For example, setting “office hours” with parents and students allows you to protect your time.
Self-Care Tip #2: Plan Some Fun Things to Do
Try to find something that you enjoy doing in your spare time. Even carving out 30 minutes in your day can make a HUGE difference in your mental health and physical well-being. I always find that exercising is a great way for me to relieve any stress or anxiety that I have. What do you enjoy doing? Taking a walk? Watching TV? Try to choose an activity that you can add to your schedule a couple of times a week.
Self-Care Tip #3: Stay Organized
Having everything organized is important for so many reasons. I always find that things run so much smoother when I have a system in place. Try to find what strategies or ideas work for you however, if you are not sure where to start check out 10 Easy Classroom Organization Tips for more suggestions. Having everything in order is an essential part of self-care.
Self-Care Tip #4: Model with Students
Incorporating self-care into your classroom is a great way for your students to learn how to manage and cope with challenging situations. Some examples that you can start using with your students include:
Try building these self-care tips into your daily routine. Keep in mind that you are only one person and there are many things out of your control. Remember, prioritizing your mental health can help your overall well-being. Comment below and share any other self-care tips that you use!
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