Are you an exhausted, worn-out teacher? It’s time to put yourself first, my friend. Check out the 50+ self-care tips for teachers from other teaching colleagues to help you to protect your energy and thrive.
The practice of self-care is so important to the well-being of all teachers and particularly now in these uncertain and very challenging times.
Teaching is stressful!
There’s no real way of ‘sugar-coating’ it! Teaching is stressful at the best of times, but now is not normal.
Teachers are having to deal with huge demands, unrealistic expectations and factors that are way beyond their control. And it’s taking a huge toll!
This is why it’s crucial that you’re intentionally looking after yourself and your wellbeing so that you’ll be able to cope with these challenges.
With this in mind, recently, in a wonderfully supportive Facebook group for teachers, a question was asked of the group and prompted me to think that the answers that came forth would also greatly benefit so many other overwhelmed teacher too.
So, I’m here sharing the helpful responses from other teachers, who are in the trenches the same as you.
I know from personal discussions and seeing the online cries for help, that our colleagues would really benefit from these tips and advice, especially knowing they’re by other educators that understand the context of teaching.
In addition, I also asked the same question of some of my own teaching friends and I have included their contributions here too for you.
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THE QUESTION THAT WAS ASKED OF THE GROUP:
What are some great self-care activities to try as an unknown year approaches?
Here are each of the wonderful responses, advice and tips from these helpful teachers to assist others to care for themselves at work and at home. (I’ve credited their comments where possible):
Note: To be honest, I didn’t do self-care very well previously, so I thought to hear it from others that are getting right, will help us all.
Important self-care tips for teachers, by other teachers
Self-care tip from Sonya:
‘I do a daily yoga practice. It helps centre me and calm the anxious nerves’.
Self-care tip from Macy:
‘I find having a priority and to do list helps me feel less stressed’.
Self-care tips from Angela:
- Don’t bring home schoolwork
- Talk things out with someone
- Exercise – even if it’s just a walk around your neighbourhood. Don’t talk on the phone or text
- Listen to nature
- Do meditations or devotions
- Establish routines so that your mind and body can feed energy elsewhere. Predictability can help ease stress and anxiety
- Eat healthy foods
- Try to establish a sleep pattern that does not require medication or supplements
- An occasional adult beverage when “it’s been one of those days.”
Self-care tips from Vanessa
Exercise. Meditate. Eat good, healthy (sometimes unhealthy 
Live your life and remember your job is not your life. It’s a gift of service and creativity but don’t let it define you. Put yourself before the job and define it with clear boundaries of a life outside of it.
Self-care tips from Carly:
I’ve learnt first hand that sacrificing myself for my students doesn’t do anybody any good.
I have been loving Tapping! Search online for Nick Ortner, or here’s the app. They have a free section for teachers too https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-tapping-solution/id1419815487
Self-care tips from Melissa:
1. Good enough is enough, not everything needs to be laminated or beautiful things can be done well enough, sometimes the fanciest resources do not have the best impact on learning so learn what matters and what needs to be perfect and what can be good enough.
2. OneNote has been a time-saving godsend for planning for me. I have tabs for planning, assessment, differentiation, resources, week of lessons etc for each unit and it has helped immensely. As I am in the age group where I am not a digital native, this is one tool that I found well worth learning, even though my school has not yet provided training.
3. During winter I know I need sunshine (living in a colder climate) or things seem more stressful. Even busily doing school work in the sun for planning etc helps.
4. I have alerts on my phone that reminds me of why I am at school. One says ‘lighten‘ as a reminder to be light with the students; light with my attitude and not take things so seriously. I have another that says ‘align yourself to a purpose, not a place or a person’. This reminds me to check in with why I am at work (to help children learn to the best of their and my ability on that day) and not for the approval or appreciation of leaders etc which you may never get.
I can also reflect on what was my purpose; and did I try to achieve that today, so I can give myself a pat on the back if I need it or set an intention to improve.
5. If I’m not sleeping, overthinking about work, then I get up and write everything down so I can get it out of my mind. Over the weekend I have a piece of paper on my kitchen “paperwork” space and if I get an idea for a resource or an email or an activity, I quickly jot it down on the run so I can go about my weekend and sit down and do any work I need to when it suits me and my family.
Remember work is never-ending and if you keep doing it all at the expense of your life, health and family, no one is going to stop you, so do what you want to and need to do to feel good during your family time, but refer to number one and don’t work to reach perfection.
Self-care tips from Laurel
Journal. Exercise. Sleep. Prioritize the to do list. Handle one thing at a time.
Self-care tips from Becky
- Start a meditation practice. for example, the Ten Percent App is doing a free 21-day challenge right now; the Calm app had a similar promotion at the beginning of last school year; the Insight timer app is also free.
- Exercise. It’s terrible and I hate it, but it does seem to help. I have to keep reminding myself that I am my body, not just a brain surrounded by unrelated meat.
- Bullet journaling helps me. I set daily/ weekly/ monthly goals and write down appointments so I don’t forget to do the important stuff. I also put self-care/hobby items on these lists – sometimes doing “nothing” is important.
- Take a break from social media if it isn’t serving you
Self-care tips from Deborah
1. Prepare well, though not over the top, as there’s always changes.
2. Eat your lunch away from your desk and read a ‘non-educational’ book (not Facebook or social media) for at least 15 min during the day. (Before 3 pm)
3. Meet with other teachers, (preferably in your same subject/year level) who you can trust to talk to and share ideas/resources regularly at least twice a week.
4. Long hot long baths/massages/ facials/ pedicures.
5. Time in the sunshine to enjoy long leisurely walks, picnics, bike rides and gardening.
Self-care tips from Miranda
Therapy
Self-Care is so important for teachers. Start your routine with this FREE Weekly Self-Care Planner:
Self-care tips from Katharine
I prioritize sleep. I meditate daily when I wake up, and either spend time in prayer or with a daily devotional. I also try to get 10,000 steps each day. Additional exercise would be great, but I haven’t personally been able to make that a habit!
Self-care tips from Stephanie
I love the Calm app and making sure you carve time out just for yourself. Whether you go on a walk, give yourself a manicure, or just enjoy a cup of coffee in quiet. Give yourself breathing room.
Self-care tips from Jennie
I love doing yoga to help clear my mind of clutter. However if you’ve never done it, the hardest part I found was getting past myself. I would focus on everything I couldn’t do and where I wasn’t which wouldn’t be calming for anyone.
It took me a bit to train my brain to see every practice as learning and accept that wherever I am is exactly where I’m supposed to be. Once I was able to shift my mindset there, it became a really calming experience. Still working on shifting my mindset there in all other areas of life 
Self-care tips from Kacy
Qigong (like yoga but you’re not holding poses); great for moving energy in your body. Gardening is fantastic especially if you can grow edibles; exercise and healthy food.
Self-care tips from Maria
I ride my bike outside and listen to Brooke Castillo on The Life Coach podcast.
Self-care tips from Stidmama
- When I can (part-time wheelchair user), I like to garden. Having soil under my fingernails makes me happy.
- I also enjoy doing art, when I have space for it.
- And naps. LOTS of naps.
- Finally, for a person on the downslope side of 50, it may be strange, but I have found some relaxing games to play on my iPad. Journey and Sky are also beautiful graphics, exquisitely scored (I actually have the albums in my music app), and have a “free explore” playstyle that fits my need for untimed, gentle games. They were originally meant for things with the funky hand controllers, but arthritis + small hands make those hard for me to manipulate (Nintendo? X-box? — my son has them on one of his devices!).
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Self-care tips from Melissa
I would highly recommend the book Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski PhD. It is helping me to make a self-care plan.
Stop procrastinating and get a self-care plan going with this FREE Weekly Self-Care Planner. Get it HERE:
Take some responsibility for your own self-care
To be blunt, you need to take responsibility for your own self-care, because if you don’t who will? You can read all the self-care tips for teachers in the world, but if you don’t make any changes in your life, nothing will improve.
I read an article recently that explained that we need to learn the skill of self-care if we are going to prevent teacher burnout. If you’re serious about your health and wellbeing, it becomes your job is to learn what works for you. Remember also to cut the guilt and stop the paradigm of being such a people pleaser and put your job where it should be in your life. Like Vanessa says in the article:
Remember your job is not your life. It’s a gift of service and creativity but don’t let it define you. Put yourself before the job and define it with clear boundaries of a life outside of it.
There are some really valid and helpful self-care tips for teachers here for all aspects of a holistic approach to self-care. I hope they can give you some ways to protect yourself, your wellbeing and your energy going forward into the difficult territory of teaching we find ourselves in currently.
Remember you’re worth it!
All the best my friend
Michelle x
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