What’s the big deal about self-care anyway? And why is self-care important for teachers? Should we make self-care a priority for teachers?
The concept of self-care for teachers seems to be frequently talked about issue – a so-called ‘movement’ that’s discussed on social media, podcasts and the media at large.
I don’t think anyone argues that educating little beings is hard work, but does society really understand the toll it takes on a person – the health risks that are associated with this high-stress job.
Prior to the ‘stay at home orders’ this year, I think many people in the population believed that teachers had it pretty good – all the school holidays and time off in the school year; and the so-called cushy 9:00 am to 3:00 pm workday.
But only teachers and their families really understand these lies and old thinking need to be squashed out.
Only we know the truth – ‘more minute by minute decisions than brain surgeons’ and the daily demands from up to 30 small individuals in our care. This doesn’t even consider the massive workload and huge responsibilities to; teach, assess and report on all of our students. And especially now more than ever, when so many unrealistic demands have been placed on the shoulders of teachers.
After schooling their kids at home, parents might have ‘woken up’ to how much work we do, but they will soon forget…and the workload will continue for us.
Now’s the time, while the world appreciates you to put the time and care into yourself – ‘possibly the best gift you can give your students.’ Positive Discipline.
Get a FREE Self-Care Calendar HERE to start looking after yourself in just minutes a day:
The honesty behind teacher self-care
As you can see, teachers need support and care like never before. (ABC Life).
However, there have been articles recently that argue to downgrade the importance of self-care for hardworking educators – saying that self-care won’t heal all the ills of the education woes or even prevent teacher burnout.
In addition, there’s also some elements in the community that think that by encouraging teachers to take care of themselves the onus is taken off the education hierarchy to solve the big problems in education.
But this is not the point.
Teaching as a profession is demanding and has many complex issues to deal with. Self-care is not going to solve all of these.
But, I don’t want educators to believe self-care won’t help them.
The reason self-care is so important in the world of an educator is because of their natural tendencies – their giving nature, often to the detriment of their own needs.
These well-meaning and caring people have a propensity to forget about themselves; or they give so much time and care to their students, the parents, the administration, families, husbands and to all the other parts of their lives in general, that they’re completely and utterly exhausted. Plus, after a full teaching day, there’s very little time left to focus on their own care anyway.
These beautiful caregivers, are often only just making it to the school holidays to finally collapse on the lounge.
I want teachers to understand that this type of martyrdom can’t safely continue without something in their lives falling apart – often this means the sacrifice of their own good health and wellbeing.
So, the concept of self-care for teachers is a way that I see these hardworking and ‘giving’ educators make certain they don’t neglect themselves… That they don’t take on too much in the high stakes of education.
self-care a priority for teachers
I want teachers to realise that without the time taken to look after your own health needs, burnout is inevitable. I’ll say it again – BURNOUT IS INEVITABLE. Because I’m living proof of this….experiencing burn out twice in my teaching career!!
Related Article: Are You at Risk of Teacher Burnout? Look for the Signs and Symptoms
I’m currently recovering from long-term burnout. This came about from the high demands and stress in the education sector as well as the accumulated effects of self-martyrdom – (and yes, I was a workaholic people-pleaser). I was so busy saying ‘yes’ to all the things, except me, that I ended up crumbling in a heap with too many health issues to list.
I’m paying the price for this.
Self-care is about placing the focus and importance on your own needs for a change. Your needs for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being – including minimizing the damaging effects of the high stress that comes with the job. (And yes this holistic approach to self-care is far more than the occasional bubble bath).
Related Articles:
- Teacher Self-Care: It’s Time to Take a Self-Care Inventory
- How to Make a Self-Care Kit for Tired Teachers
What should change?
Society needs to stop the false idea that a teachers’ role should be all-sacrificing, and stop the notion that self-care is either indulgent or a waste of time.
To be a great educator you don’t need to be self-sacrificing. You can do your job well without personal neglect and thinking that teaching comes with a heavy price tag. The paradigm that teachers are some kind of miracle workers, that can solve all societal problems, also needs to shift.
So, in writing this, I want other wonderful dedicated teachers to know, that there is a limit on your energy and passion. It can’t last without firstly prioritizing your personal health needs and that your self-care does not need to come attached to guilt or embarrassment.
Take the time you need to look after yourself and stop the energy depletion. Take your sick leave, and take your holidays to rest, restore and re-energize in preparation for what we all know is a demanding and sometimes challenging time when at school.
Related Article: 15 Easy Relaxation Strategies to Beat Stress
All the Fuss About Self-Care for Teachers
I know self-care won’t solve all the problems you face as a teacher. But this self-care movement will help empower you and give you the agency required to set the healthy limits and boundaries in your life to protect yourself, your wellbeing, and your health.
Related Article: How to Set Boundaries as a Teacher and Why It’s So Important
Working smarter with the regular act of self-care you perform, will build your energy and stop its depletion. But it will take time if you’ve allowed many years of self-imposed neglect.
Know that by taking care of your needs first, it will allow you to thrive and work much more sustainably in the profession that you love and are passionate about. This will then facilitate you to keep performing your special kind of magic in the classroom each and every day.
Related Article: 7 Tips How to Thrive as a Teacher Through the School Year
Ultimately, you as an individual must take ownership of caring for yourself, and make self-care a priority for teachers because it’s called ‘SELF-care’ for a reason.
Plus, if you don’t, who will?
Start by finding time for yourself HERE.
In closing, keep this in mind from the words of Ellen, at Self-Care for Teachers – ‘You ARE worthy of your own self-care’!
Michelle x
Related Articles:
- Teachers Enjoy the 7 Benefits of a Self-Care Bath Routine
- How to Start a Self-Care Routine for Busy Teachers
- Fight Teacher Burnout with a Self-Care Day
- Teacher Voice Care: How to Protect Your Most Important Resource
- 8 Simple Habits of Self-Care for Teachers
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