My 7 Self-Care Tips for Teachers
I’m writing this to you during the first week of school. One of the busiest weeks of the year for teachers. I’m also planning a wedding… talk about STRESS CITY. I don’t say this for sympathy, but because I want you to know that the following self-care tips for teachers are not just random. I’m currently using them and they are the reason I feel good enough to write this blog post right now. If you’re in need of a few teacher self-care tips that actually work, look no further, I got you.
1. Meditate or at least be mindful.
One of the most important
Calm & Headspace both offer free memberships for teachers. Or if you prefer, search 5 minute meditations on Youtube. Even just meditating for five minutes in the morning, sets me up for a successful day and keeps my monkey mind at bay.
2. Have fun
Self-care tip for teachers number 2: When you’re tired you’re less likely to have fun. Joy is a critical piece of life that adults often miss out on. Do something. anything. to just enjoy yourself. I like to play old 90s music and jam out while doing my hair in the morning.
3. Gratitude
4. Rest
You have to slow down to speed up. You can’t plow through life full steam ahead. Universal laws don’t work like that. Get some sleep, rest when you need to, and then when you’re ready
Rest is also important for staying healthy. Your physical health is just as important as your mental wellbeing. Click here, if you’re interested in seeing how I stay healthy during the school year.
5. Feed your mind lovingly
Jim Rohn once
One of my favorite teacher self-care strategies to feed my mind with positive things. I read books written by loving authors, such as Gabrielle Bernstein and Wayne Dyer. I listen to podcasts that promote personal growth, such as Tony Robbins.
This goes for TV too. I’m personally a true crime junkie. I love listening to different cases from all over the world. However, I have NEVER felt better after watching or listening to it. Now I opt for comedies or documentaries on Netflix that elevate my mood.
The more you make this a habit, the easier and more engrained it’ll become. You’ll notice that you turn off the negativity on the TV and start avoiding the toxicity that shows up throughout the day.
6. Move
Another important self-care tip for teachers is to move your body. Release some endorphins. You don’t need to commit to 40-minute workouts, but try to move for at least 10 minutes. On days where I’m really busy, I stretch on my yoga mat or take a quick walk outside with my pup. During this time I may even actively meditate (clear my mind while stretching) or listen to a really great podcast.
7. Go outside
Go outside and soak up the sunshine. Nature has been scientifically proven to reduce stress. Being in nature reduces anger, fear, stress, and increases your happiness.
Bonus Tip: Spend Time with Like-Minded People
You know what they say, you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. This makes sense, we see it with our students. They acclimate and adapt to the people they’re around. That’s why we emphasize and teach them the importance of picking friends. Peer-pressure is also a thing when you’re an adult too, except it looks less obvious.
It starts off with venting, then it becomes gossiping, and before you know it you’re miserable and all you see are things you don’t like. Instead spend time with people who make you happy, people who are positive and love their life and job. It’ll rub off on you. Similar to tip #5, be mindful of the people and things that enter your life. While some people are unavoidable, your exposure to them can be limited.
If you’re looking for a group of like-minded people, join our BRAND NEW facebook group. Where we focus on the good, uplift on another, and try to add light to each other’s lives.
Join our Teacher Self-Care Challenge
In an effort to hold each other accountable, I’ve created a self-care calendar filled with ideas to support you. The calendar is a reminder to take care of yourself and easy ways to show yourself some love and encourage you to do things for YOU. This self-care challenge is doable and potentially life-changing all while taking baby steps. So let’s do the work and take care of ourselves. I challenge you, download the calendar, try one of the activities and post about it on social media tagging me @thecalmishteacher or using the hashtag #empowerededucator.
If you’re looking for more teacher self-care tips and strategies, check out my Instagram where I post my weekly self-care routine and where my community shares what they are doing to prevent teacher burnout. Together we can hold each other accountable AND lift each other up!
More Self-Care Tips for Teachers?
To promote positivity in all aspects of my life and to reduce stress in the classroom, I implement a number of activities and procedures. If you’re interested in incorporating a positive mindset and mental wellbeing in the classroom, you can check out my other blog posts here.
You can also check out additional emotional self-care blog posts from Learn Grow & Blossom here and Self-Care on a budget.
The Importance of Self-Care Strategies for Teachers
Finally, as teachers, we need to create barriers to maintaining our self-care strategies. You now have 8 awesome Self-Care Tips for Teachers to try this week to help you FEEL like a better you. Try at least one or two of these quick self-care tips. If they don’t work, try another, but don’t give up. It is possible to feel good while working and avoid burning out. However, it takes a strong commitment and requires you to make self-care non-negotiable.
Ashley at The Calmish Teacher is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
