Seven Self-Care Tips for Teachers
Self-care can seem daunting as an educator that already has so much to do. However, with the holiday season coming up, it's important to focus on your well being to be your best self both in and out of the classroom. Here are seven tips that can be implemented into any teacher lifestyle!
1. Create Personal Time
Set aside 10-30 minutes everyday as personal time to use as you feel is best.
2. Create a Self-Care Emergency Kit
Put together a bag that holds your favorite things such as your favorite candy, lotion or even a picture of your favorite family or friends that always brighten your day. That way when you're needing a pick me up, you can reach for this bag and choose one of these items!
3. Journal at Work
While you have your students journal for the lesson of the day, take some time to also journal for yourself. Reflect on how your week is going so that in the future, you can look back and see how you can change or keep things the same!
4. Plan time with family and friends
Set aside one day a week that you reach out to someone you don't talk to often, or schedule time to be with those that make you feel like your best self!
5. Implement Self Care in your Lesson Plans
As mentioned above, set aside time to journal with your students. During this time play relaxing music, lower the lights and allow your students to calm down with you!
6. Meditate with Students
Set aside a minute or two to do deep breathing exercises with your students. Whether this be before a quiz or test or before a discussion, this will allow your students and yourself to relax before taking on a new task.
7. Schedule Get To Know You Activities
Put together lessons for students to be able to get to know each other and yourself. That way for your students that are feeling lonely in a class can get to talk to other people and maybe make a new friend!
Self care can be used both inside and outside of the classroom. No matter how you find it best to fit into your schedule, we encourage you to find ways to also teach your students healthy ways to implement self care into their lives!
Do you have any self-care tips that you use? Leave them in the comments below!
