Teaching is a difficult job, and stress is a byproduct of that difficulty. As such, teachers need to be diligent in creating a self-care routine that helps to reduce stress and its negative impacts. In the book Every Connection Matters: How to Build, Maintain, and Restore Relationships Inside the Classroom and Out, authors Michael Creekmore and Nita Creekmore provide the following suggestions for practicing emotional, mental, and physical wellness (pp. 21-27):
- Find a laugh every day. Laughter is the best medicine. Find where you get yours, and get your laughter every day.
- Reduce social media consumption. Social media thrives on discord and comparison. Neither are good for you. Reduce your intake to increase your emotional state.
- Learn something new. Something as simple as a fact per day can help you feel like you are learning and growing, and that’s healthy!
- Embrace all that is good. Yes, there is good stuff happening all the time. Prime your brain for it, look for it, and celebrate it.
- Set healthy boundaries. No is a perfectly acceptable word. You don’t have to be everything to everyone all the time. Create space for yourself and protect that space.
- Feel your feelings. Acknowledge the feels and know it’s okay to feel them.
- Take time to journal. There’s something freeing about putting a pen to paper and sorting out the things you are experiencing. It may seem odd at first, but the more you do it, the more helpful it will be.
- Find time to meditate. Okay, so this one seems weird to some folks, but I’ve spent a lot of time in this arena (if you want me to visit and do a seminar, just ask!). It takes a little time to regain control of your mind, but once you do it’s incredibly invigorating. Some days I focus on a thought. My favorite thing to do is practice silence and brush thoughts away. Too deep? It’s only the tip of the iceberg. You have no idea how deep this gets.
- Join a support group. Finding a group of people who share similar experiences is a great way to find care. Just hearing “you are not alone” is powerful.
- Establish work cutoff times. In our digital world, this is difficult. Set a time, and try it. Give yourself some grace when you fail, and try it again. You’ll be better for it.
- Exercise regularly. I’m no beacon of health, but I’m improving. Making daily physical activity like biking, walking, and weight lifting releases happy chemicals in the brain and makes the body feel better.
- Improve your sleep hygiene. Ahhhh, sleep. A passion of mine. Set a schedule and stick to it. Your body will thank you.
- Establish healthy eating habits. Again, I’m no guru in this arena, but I have worked with a health coach (free for those on our health insurance), and I have made changes that have improved my overall health and well being. A healthy diet gives the best energy for managing all the stuff of the day.
As you prepare for the week ahead, be intentional about building time for your own care. You are worth the effort!
Phil Harrison Coaching 