Teaching can be an extremely busy and stressful job and it’s a must to prioritize yourself by implementing a regular teacher self-care routine, to help prevent burnout.
Practising self-care for anyone,m including busy teachers, is much more than just having a daily shower or brushing your teeth.
I discovered the importance of self-care when I had sunk to a very low point in my teaching career in early 2018.
The school year had just started and I was already feeling the effects of the stress and workload.
I knew nothing of the concept of self-care.
After visiting my doctor, he advised that he thought I needed to see a counsellor. I was a bit shocked at this recommendation, but I knew I needed help, so I went anyway.
When I arrived at the counsellor’s office, I didn’t even realise the fragile state I was in. My hands shook and my voice was weak and teary. My mental state wasn’t good. I felt like crying, but I held it together, as best as I could.
My new friend carefully listened to me tell the story of my teaching day – the overwhelming stress, the demands and the unrealistic expectations that I faced every day. The burden of it all had become too much to bear.
I felt understood as she listened. Her clever intuition determined that I wasn’t prioritizing myself. My personal boundaries for my working life were non-existent and school had taken over every aspect. I was severely suffering for it too.
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My introduction to teacher self-care
She explained to me the concept of self-care – about the importance of nurturing ourselves for good health and as a way to bring balance to our lives.
As the counsellor spoke, the more I realised that I had neglected myself for too many years. I was astounded and recognised that there was little of ME left.
Do you know what I mean?
I’d lost myself in work, in motherhood and in being a partner. Who was I anymore?
My self-care homework:
At the end of my first counselling visit, I was given some crucial homework to complete. My job was to identify and write down all of the people, places, pets, things, senses etc, that made me feel nurtured and loved – to help reconnect to ME!
This was a very personal thing… I had to dig deep because, for a really long time, I had not put myself first and I’d forgotten who I was.
I was a mother, a wife, a teacher and a carer and all of these roles seemed to have had priority for many years.
Over the following weeks, I thought a lot about what made me, ME, and wrote many notes in my journal. Here are some of the things I wrote down that made me feel loved and nurtured:
My self-care reflections to reconnect back to myself:
- Music – listening to love ballads and music from my childhood filled me with joy and helped me remember who I was as a person. For example; The Beetles, Cat Stevens and Simon and Garfunkle. (Yes, I’m a child of the ’70s)
- Luxurious Bubble baths – with bubbles, scented candles, music and of course a glass of wine. I realised that this relaxing bath-time routine helped me wind down and destress from the day. I also love adding fragrant Essential Oils like Lavender to my bath. Read my post 3 Essential Oils to support wellbeing for teachers for details.
- Breathing – I discovered that deep breathing was something that helped me to slow down and be more present in the moment – something I needed to relax. (Update: Since writing this post, I’ve focused more on breathing for stress relief – read here how you can use an easy breathing exercise to manage your stress levels).
I also wrote down other ideas that brought me joy, peacefulness and things that I loved to do, for example:
- having coffee with friends
- watching romance movies
- wearing special pieces of jewellery, like my Pandora bracelet, and gold heart locket
- giving myself home manicures
- special times with my cat
- sewing and stitching
- playing the piano
- and just going out into nature
This reflection exercise was so therapeutic for me. It helped me start to regain a connection with myself and remember who Michelle was again.
On my next visit to the counsellor, I showed her my reflection notes and these became the basis of what I would use to implement a new self-care routine.
Over the weeks that followed, when I intentionally made time for myself and incorporated these special activities into my day, I noticed my mood slowly lifting. My mental state was improving and joy was returning to my life….the negative thoughts I had towards work also began to change.
The to journey to reconnect with myself had commenced.
Later, in subsequent counselling sessions, I also found out that if I wanted to continue to improve my wellbeing, I had to fix a huge problem that I’d created…the problem of work running my life!
For this to happen, and avoid burnout, the counsellor explained that I needed to start the difficult task of setting clear boundaries between home and work. But this is another story.
Read here about the importance of setting healthy boundaries as a teacher.
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Additional Self-care Resources
At subsequent sessions, I was also introduced to a Facebook group called Self-care for Teachers. This assisted me to gain the help and support I required to continue my self-care education.
This Facebook group has taught me a great deal about the importance of prioritising my own needs and the necessity, as an educator, to protect my energy and look after myself.
Preventing teacher burnout with Self-care
Ellen, the teacher behind Self-care for Teachers, helped instilled a huge passion in me to help other stressed teachers from burning out.
Related Article: Are You at Risk of Teacher Burnout? Look for the Signs and Symptoms
Her powerful message made me understand that we are more than just teachers – Her mantra is – “You’re a person first and a teacher second and worthy of your own self-care.”
I think about this all the time.
Anyway, so I’ve told you this whole story because I want you to know how important I believe self-care is for teachers.
While it’s clear that burnout in educators remains a complex issue, self-care is one of the key elements that you have in your power to help prevent burnout.
Many studies show that burnout is caused by overtaxing the body with high levels of stress, but by including a regular self-care regime, it is possible to counteract this burden on your body.
It’s just a matter of understanding that self-care must become an essential part of your life as an educator. Without it, burnout could be around the corner for many depleted teachers.
Related Article: Here are some tips to help you with self-care in the classroom 8 Simple Habits of Self Care + Free Printable
In closing:
To finished, I wanted to leave you with the thought-provoking Ted talk I’ve found. It really touched my heart.
This beautiful teacher speaks about why it’s so important to practice self-care to reduce the ‘epidemic of stress’ in our schools. I hope you enjoy it.
Don’t lose your sparkle!
N.B. Before you go, don’t forget to grab your FREE Self-Care Calendar HERE:
Related Articles:
Self-care for teachers is such an important topic. Please read the following related articles:
- 5 Easy Ways to Relieve Teacher Stress
- 8 Simple Habits of Self Care + Free Printable
- 3 Essential Oils to Support Teacher Wellbeing
- Teacher Voice Care: How to Protect Your Important Resource
- Teacher Self-Care: It’s Time for a Self-Care Inventory
- How to Start a Self-Care Routine for Busy Teachers Today
Take care of yourself!
Michelle x
Don’t forget to pin it for later!
HAVE YOU GOT SOME OTHER IDEAS TO PRACTISE SELF-CARE? Leave your suggestions in the comments below.
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