Self-Care For Educators

We work in a highly stressful career. Nobody will deny that. Unfortunately, teachers tend to devalue themselves and their needs, instead focusing on giving everything we have to other people. Particularly in this post-COVID education landscape, we are being asked to do more, for more people, with less than we had before the pandemic shifted our world. One of the most important things that I have learned and worked towards internalizing during the past several years, is the absolute requirement that I be mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy to provide the best possible care and services to everyone in my world—personal and professional. It’s always time for self-care for educators.

Teachers, as you know firsthand, are essentially caretakers, and generally feel a sense of responsibility to serve others to the very best of our ability—even if it takes a negative toll on ourselves or our health. Given our basic genetic makeup, it’s going to be quite difficult for you to rework your mind and heart to care more for yourself, even if it means giving and doing less for others.

It is vital that we adopt a “Me First” attitude towards our mental, physical and emotional health. People use the airplane example of “putting on the oxygen mask,” and it really does fit. If we aren’t at our strongest and healthiest, we can’t provide the level of care and concern for others that we demand from ourselves. So let’s get into some suggestions and pieces of advice to care for Number 1. Because that’s who you are…Number 1. Let’s talk about self-care for educators.

It’s Finally Summer!

Summer break takes a long time starting, and leaves us in a quick flash every single year. Since research shows the majority of educators work an additional job during summer breaks, the idyllic summer lounging on a Caribbean beach is not that common.

But we aren’t in our usual classroom with our usual stressors. We need to take advantage of the stresses that are absent from our lives for those precious 10 weeks. If you follow my other blogs, you know that my home life stress is exacerbated by caring for my 92 year old Mom, but at least in the summer I’m not splitting my attention, my time, and (particularly) my energy with 250 students.

What You Can Do Today

The first step to self-care for educators is exactly what you are doing: Considering the possibilities!

Teachers, by nature, are thinkers (I hear you mumbling “over thinkers”!), and this is where we start. You need to lay the groundwork before the summer break even starts. As soon as we enter the fourth quarter of school, I am considering plans for rejuvenating myself over the upcoming break. I envision how much time I will have, and particularly what MUST be accomplished over the summer.

The absolute “must do’s” dominate my thinking in the months preceding summer, because I don’t want to have to squish them all in the two weeks before we go back to school. I’ve found over the years that if I attack some of the required activities for the summer right away, it leads to a more relaxed middle and end of the vacation.

I probably don’t need to tell you to write everything down, so you are sure to schedule in the required as well as the hopeful ideas. Personally, I use a desk calendar to prepare for the summer, blocking out everything I know that has to be attended to. For this year, that included the date for graduation after school ended, as well as some training days for my FBLA team to go to their national conference. 

You have a few good ideas…now what?

My passion for travel leads me to make reservations and plans well over a year in advance for large trips, so that is where I begin. Those dates are written in pen on that desk calendar right away, and, for my mental health, the day before and after each vacation is “X”ed out so I can prepare to leave and get back to normal afterwards.

Last summer we replaced the carpeting in our house, so that was written in pen on the calendar, because it was scheduled and definitely a “must do”. Anything related to home repair that is scheduled or planned out goes onto the calendar in pen. Another item in pen relates to any and all medical plans. Whether we are having some small procedure, or just our annual check-ups, those things are penned in so we can always remember them. 

So once all of the items written in pen are on there, you put the pen away. Here we go into the pencil items…

What You Can Do This Summer

You’ve completed the hard job of self-care for educators: identifying what you absolutely must complete during this summer vacation. Look at your desk calendar. Hopefully, your required items are spread out enough that you see splashes of blankness in the calendar. Hopefully, some of the items in pen are strictly for fun and relaxation, and not all home repairs or doctors. 

Now we pencil in the activities that will help us prepare to be our best teacher self in the Fall:

Take A Short Break!

We stay home—unscheduled—during the first week of summer break, and we are always glad we plan it this way. Completing home items is fine during this time, but the idea of transitioning right from classroom to airplane is too much to bear!! Give yourself a few days at both ends of your summer break to just read a book.

Set Boundaries You Can Live With!

You don’t need to go to happy hour with everyone who asks! You might not like the crowds, or want to spend the money. Make sure that you are only agreeing to things that feed your soul. You give enough away during the school year.

Organize It!

The beauty of the end of school is that we clean our rooms so they are ready for next year. Consider doing something similar at your house! For us, the end of school is so stressful regular home cleaning takes a back seat, and we enjoy getting things back “up to snuff” during the summer.

Do Things That Are Fun!

I don’t know what that might be for you, but schedule it right now! Teachers are usually readers, so hit that library early and often. Sweet Husband loves to use his green thumb during the summer, and I love the peaches and apricots from our trees!

Reflect On Your Successes!

You have had a great school year with students, and I know you have impacted numerous kids. Perhaps you attended one or two trainings or conferences this year. Maybe you took on a new position at school or a different grade/subject. Take some quality time to look back at the school year and celebrate the things that went well, and how you impacted student learning and your school community this year.

What New Habits You Can Introduce This Summer

The best thing you can do for yourself just might be starting something new! One summer I learned to knit, and this year we are going to dip our toes in yoga. What is there that you have wanted to try but haven’t had the energy or the time to do? I feel very strongly about getting out in nature to rejuvenate my soul (read about it here), so this might be the best summer to try some new trails or get some use out of that tent! 

Mindfully plan things that will excite you, and that you have been thinking about. Do not put things off as we usually do during the school year—get out there! Encourage your bestie to try that new hike with you, or come with you on an outlet shopping road trip. 

You have more time and more energy than the rest of the year—don’t let it go to waste.

Patti, I just can’t…

Are you really stuck, despite thinking about it and considering all of my suggestions? Okay. Let’s consider the real possibility that you would benefit from some professional assistance to get back to your best self. 

Do it. Use that (hopefully) good teacher insurance and find someone to speak to.

For yourself. For your family. 

Do it. Today.

What You Can Plan For Next School Year

It might sound quite counterintuitive for self-care for educators, but spend time focusing on next year, and this might not be for you. I do enjoy considering the next school year, and find it relaxing to run through my curriculum in my head. Frankly, every article I read, I consider if it is appropriate for my students. As I watch my investments rise (or fall…let’s be honest lately…) I think about working it into a lecture. 

So, yeah, I definitely “work” over summer. But it’s on your terms. It’s when you want to think about it. That’s the big difference. 

Spend as much time on yourself as you can and want. You’ve earned it.

Then, let’s get back on that horse, and lead the next generation to greatness!

THANKS FOR READING THIS FAR

Wow, thank you for reading about self-care for educators!

Hey, since you’re here! You may as well check out how to start a CTSO, here, and how to prepare for next year, here! Check out our other topics here! Either way, I appreciate you!

Please leave a COMMENT about any tips you may have!! Or comment what your favorite tip of mine was! How’s your student organization operating? Let me know.

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