Collectively we have been living through a pandemic that has felt like it has lasted for the past five years but it has been 8 months long. So much has happened in those 8 months and there are so many different viewpoints on what is or is not the right move. I am not going to make this blog about that. What I will make it about is the things that we individually can control during this ongoing time period in order to better our own mental health.
Educators are tired and exhausted. I can see it in their faces, emails, and social media posts daily. Many educators feel like they are not doing enough for the children in their classrooms and more duties are being added weekly by administrators. Teachers are teaching remote kids at home while teaching a group of students in the classroom at the same time at many schools. That is a big ask on a normal year let alone behind a mask while making sure you are not zoom boomed, asking kids to participate and keep their camera turned on, and meeting various needs and accommodations of all the students participating. At times it feels like performing a circus act while the tent is on fire but the show must go on.
I have looked at many posts from educators about the 60+ hour weeks they work and they are still behind. Many of us have given up spending time with our families for the greater good of our students. What I am not hearing from many of my educator friends is what they are doing for their own self-care. This is something that I believe is so important especially during this time of year and during this current time in education.
So my big question to my fellow educators is what are you doing for yourself and not for anyone else? I admit I used to roll my eyes in my younger years when I would get talked to by higher-ups about self-care. The older I get the more I believe in self-care and taking care of my own mental health. I have learned that when I don’t do this it has a negative impact on more than just myself it has an impact on my family, my co-workers, my ability to do my job, and possibly my ability to deliver quality education to the students that I work with.
I am going to share four self-care tips that I implemented this school year that has helped. Take and use what you can or adjust it to fit your particular needs. We are not one size fits all when it comes to self-care.
Take your email off your phone.
I admit this was difficult for me but taking my work email off my phone has been a game-changer for me in the best ways. I am not always checking it and responding to it which helps me set the boundary between work and home. I still bring my computer home so that I can check my email in the morning before going to work.
Move Your Body Everyday
This can take many forms and it does not need to be a hard exercise routine. It can be something as simple as taking your dog for a walk, going for a walk on your lunch break, or playing outside with your own children. My movement typically consists of a workout on my Peloton. I always find that I feel better overall when I move my body and I am more productive throughout my day.
Accept That You Will Always have a To-Do list
I have seen a lot of teachers work a crazy amount of hours and post on Facebook stating that they still have so much to do. I have never had a job where I finished everything on my to-do list. Set a time limit or must complete list and when you have that accomplished walk away and give yourself a break. Are you students going to know that there were 5 more hours of work that you could have put into the lesson to make it even better? Nope! Just like at my wedding, no one knew about a couple of things that could have been better aside from me.
Make Sure Your Network is in Place
Your network can be so many people and not just your teacher friends. This could be your spouse, other family members, or your friends outside of education. Use your network during this difficult time for everyone. A lot of those connections pieces have been lost this year and sometimes they are a simple phone call away.
