Self-Care Isn’t Selfish
Self-Care
This has been a school year that we have never experienced before. There have been so many changes and challenges. If you have not taken a break yet, now is a great time to do so.
1. Take a walk.
A lot of educators are either teaching virtually, in-person or a combination of both. If you are teaching in class, then your learners may be either virtual, in-person or you are teaching concurrently. The job of an educator has never been as demanding as it is now. The virtual world has caused us to sit for extended amounts of time. Consider stepping away and taking a walk. It helps your body replenish and it’s good to move your body.
2. Do Something You Enjoy
What do you do for fun? Read? Cook? Dance? Knit? Whatever it is, do it! Educators spend so much time doing for others that we rarely find time to do what we enjoy doing. I like to crochet. I may not be good at it, but it is something that relaxes me. Whatever you enjoy doing, go for it!
3. Take A Day Off.
Since teaching has transitioned to the virtual world, it seems like a lot of educators feel they must be on call all day and night. We stay glued to the computer screen with our kiddos or we spend a lot of time working in our classrooms even after the school day is done. Who say’s you can’t take a day off when you are working remotely? When you are mentally stressed, it’s okay to take a day off. You will feel better afterwards.
4. Work Within Your Work Hours
It’s also a good idea to ensure you are intentional with your start and stop time. If your work hours are from 7:00 -3:30, then start at 7:00 and end at 3:30. Don’t worry. The work will be there tomorrow. There may be times that you will have to work longer and that’s okay. However, do not turn it into a habit that you cannot get out of.
5. Say NO!
Don’t take on that extra project or join that committee if you don’t want to. When we agree to do something that we really don’t want to do, it can make us stressed out. Once you start saying no to things that you really don’t want to do, you begin prioritizing yourself and your needs. This is all part of self-care.
I hope you are able to take some of these ideas and use them. Remember, if we are not well, we cannot help or do anything for anyone else. Make yourself a priority and be well. The children and the school may need you, but you need yourself more.