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Teacher self care is possible to practice while still loving your profession and giving your best to your students!
Today is my last week day of Spring Break! Man, what a bummer, right? Honestly, I’m oh-so lucky to love every aspect of my job — I have fantastic students, wonderful administration, and a supportive school community. While all that makes my Monday through Friday worth it, I’m not immune to feelings of burnout during busy seasons or counting down to the next break (right after we’ve returned from one). With the end of the school year fast approaching, I know these feelings are on the horizon.
Does this sound like you, too? Teaching makes it all too easy to neglect self care, but in my experience when you do, it becomes all too easy for these feelings to crop up! When you prioritize that teacher self care, it makes room in your head and your heart to still love your profession and give your best to your students.
Related: How to Establish a Morning Routine for a Successful Day
However, sometimes making time for self care can be just as stressful as not fitting it in. I know the feeling. That feeling that taking care of yourself is just ONE.MORE.THING. on your to-do list. For that reason, I try to institute some uncommon self care practices that fit almost seamlessly into my schedule. If self care is just ONE.MORE.THING. to you too, check out these tips for fitting it in!
Teacher Self Care
ONE // Establish a morning routine
I used to be the type of person who woke up at the last minute and rushed out the door in a hurry. It took me years to realize that all this did was add unnecessary stress to my days. After I established a morning routine that helped to ground me and prepare me for the day ahead, I was able to take on the day with so much more strength.
TWO // Use your personal days!
Admittedly, I’m preaching to the choir with this one! I’m the worst at taking personal days, but they are given to you for a reason. If you’re a planner (like me) look ahead at the calendar and anticipate those days you could really use some decompression. Put your name on the calendar, prep for your sub, and enjoy a worry free day!
THREE // Utilize your planning periods
Utilizing your planning periods has as much to do with work-life balance as it does with self care. I understand the urge to take a breather by wandering around campus or going to visit your coworker who’s also on break, but sometimes that can create more stress. I like to use my planning periods for planning and grading too. This helps me stay caught up on grades, but also keeps me from taking home too much work on the weekends or evenings. This way, I’m able to “leave it at the door” as much as I can and devote my attention to my family when I leave school.
FOUR // Socialize with your coworkers! (Or don’t)
I’m blessed to have fantastic colleagues to share my school day with and many days I couldn’t make it through without them! Your coworkers are in the trenches with you and understand the stress better than anyone else. Take them up on the Friday afternoon happy hour offers, or take your lunch in the staff lounge a few days a week — instead of hanging out in your room alone to get more work done.
Related: On the Go Healthy Snacks for Busy Days
On the other hand, know when to say, “no.” If the teacher work day lunch isn’t going to serve you that day, it’s ok to decline. Don’t feel guilty, just let them know you’ll join in next time! Self care is about finding the balance between introversion and extroversion and doing what’s best for YOU!
FIVE // Practice yoga (or some other physical activity you enjoy)
Physical activity is part of my morning routine, but it’s present even on days I don’t get to do my entire routine! Finding physical activity you enjoy, even if it’s just walking after dinner, is a great way to relieve stress and process the day’s events. If you prefer to get your sweat on in the mornings (like I do!), it’s a great way to get some endorphins going before welcoming your students for the day.
As teachers, we are accustomed to putting others first. If you’re a spouse or a parent, then you know that doesn’t always stop as soon as you leave work. However, that saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup,” is so true and to continue loving your profession it’s important to take care of yourself too! When things get wild and self care seems impossible, think of these seamless ways to work it into your day!
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