Page 47: Teacher Self Care Tips ...
Being in the midst of placement, it is well reported and shared in the media the work load teachers can face and although it such a rewarding and enjoyable career, lots of effort and time gets put in for these results. It is easy to get wrapped up into the school bubble and forget to take that all important time for yourself. Looking after yourself is the only way you can look out for your pupils. If you are not switched on and on your best game, you may accidentally miss a key finding or even safeguarding issue of a child.
As mentioned, time is space and precious, so after a few length posts lately, today I will share 10 simple teacher self care tips to ensure a healthy lifestyle and good work life balance.
1. Have a one hour switch off before bed - at least one hour before bed, it is time to put the planning, marking, resources away and take that time to switch off and focus on you. Read a few chapters of your favourite book or watch an episode of your current TV series etc to allow yourself to reset for the next day.
2. Eat a balanced and healthy diet - I couldn't be more of an advocate for the phrase a healthy body allows a healthy mind more. Fuelling your body with the right foods, doesn't only allow you to have slow realise energy throughout the day, keeping you fuelled and full of energy but also helps you feel in control. As a teacher, at times there can be a lot to balance, so therefore being sorted organised and healthy sets you up smoothly for the week.
3. Do one thing that makes you happy a week - from knitting to reading to sky diving, do not forget about your hobbies. These are thing you have time for, and if you don't, you have got your workload wrong. Weaving these things in one evening or on the weekend helps to take care of your mental wellbeing enjoying something that makes you happy.
4. Aim to meet up with a friend/family member when you can - teachers can have social lives and it is important to still see you closest and make those memories! It is time for you to step back from the classroom, laugh and joke for a few hours before re setting and getting ready to go again
5. Exercise however light or extreme you wish - the realise of endorphins is key! It can be motivating, stress relieving and taking this personal health self care time is great. From meeting a friend for a walk in the park, going for a run/cycle or even rock climbing, allowing your body to build up and realise these endorphins is key!
6. Take a shower - may be an obvious one, however, if I ever come home from school feeling sleepy or need a 'wake up' to set myself up for an evening of work, I like to have a quick cold shower, where I can reset and mentally plan my routine for the night, change into some comfy clothes, make a coffee and sit down ready to start. Take time between finishing school and working to let your mind breathe.
7. Talk - Teaching is an incredible career but it is easy to get wrapped up and forget to talk. Ring a friend, knock on your colleagues classroom door, and share something from your day and ask them about theirs too!
8. Write - for me it is blogging and teachergram, a huge passion I have developed over my training, but start a journal and get writing. It does not having to be about teaching but about yourself. Maybe you want to write a postive message for the next morning, or reflect on as aspect of the day, a great way to settle is do have even as little as a 2 minute writing session before bed. Aloud thoughts to share with yourself are great!
9. To do lists - similarly to writing, I like to produce a daily to do list with simples thing such as shower, make lunch, pack bags so I can tick and feel in control organised and productive as well as a weekend and PPA list so I am always organised, on track and feel in control.
10. Take a nap - to put it simply, sometimes it is just needed.
I hope you found some of these self-care tips useful, and if you are ever struggling or wanted to feel more control of your time, try to incorporate some into your routine! Fitting all of these thing and incorporating them into my week allows me to feel a good balance and my 'switch off' from school time, only gets me more eager, motivated and excited to get back to school work!
I will end today's page with this fitting quote about the importance and relevance of self-care to everyone:
"Self care is giving the world the best of you, instead of whats left in you" - Katie Reed
- Miss Yeoman
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