.png)
As teachers, we need to be role models for our students in all aspects of life, not just during school hours or in the classroom. That means living healthy lives ourselves!
Make your wellness a priority this year. Educator burnout is a real thing and you can take charge of your self-care. Whether you chose to make a New Year's resolution or simply do your best to incorporate some self-care into your life this year, these are some steps that may help.
Breathe. Set a few timmers on your watch and squeeze in a few minutes of deep breathing through your day. When we're stressed, our breathing becomes shallower and more rapid due to the fight or flight response kicking in. This causes a lack of oxygen, which can lead to fatigue and tiredness. Deep breathing forces you to consciously inhale and exhale more slowly and deeply, allowing the oxygen levels in your body to increase.
Walk. As educators, we are always on the move. Whether it's running between classes or planning lessons, moving around is vital to our teaching day. Be sure to take a few minutes each day to walk outside and get some fresh air. If you can't leave campus, simply peruse the halls of your school slower than usual and chat with colleagues that we can find ourselves sitting often at our desks with lesson plans. Set a few timmers to make sure you get up and stretch. Walk over to grab a drink or snack.
Treat Yourself. Schedule in a treat for yourself. Sometimes we get too busy and forget to b nice to ourselves. It can be as simple as watching a favorite TV show, reading your favorite book, or listening to music. Find special ways to reward yourself and treat yourself for all of the teaching that you do throughout the year.
All these practices mean being mindful of your needs. Mindfulness is a great self-care tool that we can always turn to in our lives. Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. This can be achieved by breathing and focusing on our bodies and surroundings in the moment. Mindfulness helps us to increase awareness of how we feel physically, emotionally, and mentally throughout the day.