Educator Self-Care 101

Educator self-care is a trending topic, and for good reason. Friends who work in schools, as you know, these are tough times. We are being pushed to the limit by the demands of in-person, distance, hybrid (you get the point…) learning.

We are wearing masks, sanitizing hands and classroom surfaces, responding to a thousand emails a week, teaching students who are in front of us and in front of their computers at home…all within the ‘normal’ hours of the school day.

Only nothing is normal and everything is much more complicated and challenging than a typical school year.

And let’s be fair, a typical school year isn’t easy either!

So here we are.

And it is messy.

So these are questions I need to pose to you, and they are critically important.

Questions to Boost Self-Care

What are you doing for yourself right now?

How are you keeping your own batteries charged?

And what do you need to feel like you are keeping your head above water?

What does self-care look like to you?

Reading. Walking. Running. Snuggling. Sleeping. Baking. Laughing with friends. 

Determining What Self-Care Means To You

Self-care means different things to each of us. Some love exercise. Others crave relaxation.

One isn’t better than another but it is important that you take a minute to identify what makes you feel rejuvenated. And be intentional to actually schedule some of this time into your day.

It can be 5 minutes, 10 minutes –anything is better than zero.

Because if we are running on empty it is not good for anyone –not our students, not our families, and definitely not for ourselves. 

This is going to be a year where burnout feels awfully close for some of us. And honestly, some of us were close before COVID and the craziness of the 2020 school year.

Be mindful of what you are putting out into the world, what you are giving to your students, and also be mindful of what you are taking in.

Take time for yourself. Go for a quick jog or read a chapter of your book. Rest up when you can.

We are going to get through this, and you need to take control of the pieces of your life where you can –incorporating time for self-care is something you can control.

We know a happy teacher, is a successful teacher. Make time for wellness, happiness, and self-care. Your students will thank you and your post-COVID self will as well.