Teacher Self-Care 101

Attempting to find a spare minute as a teacher may feel like a tall order. Whether it be because those spare minutes must be spent grading papers or replying to emails outside of regular school hours, there always feels like there’s something left to be done. While this may feel like an effective use of time in the moment, the truth is it’s important for teachers to protect their free time in order to establish a healthy work-life balance. Many teachers find success in creating office hours for students to visit and have more individualized time to discuss homework or how to prepare for an upcoming test. This way, teachers can still provide their students with the additional care they need to succeed while simultaneously creating more opportunity to incorporate activities into their day that refresh their physical body and mental health. Practicing deep breathing and including additional intentional movement in the day are two excellent examples. Exercising and eating a healthy diet are incredibly important in supporting a teacher’s health for the long-term. For more information on how to better incorporate self-care methods that are effective, take a look at the resource accompanying this post.