Episode #3 – 5 More Self-Care Practices for Teachers

In Episode #2 of the Self-Care Community Podcast for Teachers, I shared 5 ways you can add self-care to your daily routine. In this episode, we’re examining 5 more self-care practices for teachers. 

5 More Self-Care Practices for Teachers

 

6) Practice Gratitude

• Practicing gratitude can help shift your focus from the challenges of teaching to the positive aspects of your life. Each day, try to write down or think about three things that you are grateful for. Focusing on the good in your life can help increase feelings of happiness and reduce stress.

7) Set Boundaries

• Teaching can be an all-consuming job, and it’s easy to let work bleed into your personal time. Setting boundaries is an essential aspect of self-care. This may involve setting specific times for answering emails or grading assignments or saying no to additional work commitments. By setting boundaries, you can help ensure that you have time for the things that matter most to you.

8) Take Breaks

• Taking breaks throughout the day can help reduce stress and increase productivity. Even a short break to stretch, take a walk, or chat with a colleague can help you feel more refreshed and focused. Use brain breaks to give yourself and your students short breaks during instruction. This will help all of you relieve stress and be more productive for the rest of the day.

9) Eat Well

• Eating a balanced and nutritious diet is crucial for your physical and mental wellbeing. Fueling your body with healthy foods can help increase your energy levels and improve your mood. Try to incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into your diet and limit processed foods and sugary drinks.

 10) Get Support

• If you are feeling overwhelmed or struggling with your mental health, it’s important to seek support. Talk to a trusted friend or family member, seek out a therapist or counselor, or talk to a mental health professional. Remember that seeking support is a sign of strength, and it can help you feel more empowered to prioritize your self-care.

 

Action Steps:

1. If you listened to last week’s episode and you already started adding self-care to your daily schedule, reflect on what went well and what you want to change. You can either stick with what you’re already doing or you can switch a self-care practice you tried last week for one of the new ones we talked about this week.
2. If you didn’t listen to last week’s episode yet, you can try building one or two of the self-care practices we talked about today into your daily schedule. We are starting slowly because if you try to do too many things at once, you’re not likely to stick with any of them.
3. Don’t go on your self-care journey alone. Make sure you join the Teacher Self-Care Community Facebook Group so you can take part in our Summer of Self-Care. The group will officially open on May 27th, and the healthy eating challenge will kick off on Saturday, June 3rd.