Ten mental health and well-being tips for teachers

Ten mental health and well-being tips for teachers

Ten mental health and well-being tips for teachers
As schools reopen, it's important to prioritize and commit to taking care of your mental health and well-being - it helps you find more positive energy for yourself, your students and their families. Here are 10 tips on how you can do it!

Set aside time to calm down

Think about what helps improve your mood and puts you under stress - be it playing with your kids, going for walks, talking to your friends, taking care of your plants, reading a book or cooking a new recipe. Keep some space to relax. These activities are just as important as your work schedule. It’s about allowing yourself to feel encouraged.

Plan ahead

As schools reopen, you may have a million things on your mind about how to engage with students and help them transform. Make a list of all your tasks and activities at the beginning of the day or week. Use a day planner or notebook to plan your week. Set small goals and take appropriate breaks. This will help you to plan your time better and reduce the stress of doing many unplanned things.

Set boundaries

The Kovid-19 epidemic has put a strain on the lives of many teachers with new teaching, personal health and family problems. Whether you’re teaching online or in the classroom, you’re constantly taking care of students ’needs throughout the day. Don’t forget to set boundaries to spend ‘I’ time, be with family or enjoy what you want to do. An easy way to create boundaries is to pay attention to how you feel during your daily activities and listen to hints that may tell you that something is not working for you. Dedicate time to your teaching and other times when you are not there. You may want to consider scheduling student assistance so that you have a dedicated time to support students outside of classroom time. Make sure students and their parents / carers know the best time to contact you. Set up a window before you go to sleep (and stick to it) that is "technology-free" - when you're sure not to check emails and messages. You may also want to consider setting reminders to help you remember your boundaries. If you feel that others do not respect these boundaries, think of ways in which you can communicate with them gently and respectfully, share what you know about the importance of maintaining one's mental health and how your boundaries help you to do so. Done.

Get vaccinated

Get vaccinated when it's your turn. Getting vaccinated can protect you from serious COVID-19 infections, hospitalization and death, and alleviate safety concerns back to school. It will also protect your family, your students and their families. You need to be careful after getting vaccinated, but feeling safe will definitely make you feel better!

Adjust your expectations

It’s time for everyone to adjust and keep things in perspective. You can control only a few things and situations during the transition period in your classroom. Don’t stress yourself out for the same learning experience as in the pre-lockdown period. You are a single professional and trying your best to adapt to change. As we move forward, the school community will learn and adapt.

Acquire new skills and appreciate what you already have

Teachers around the world were largely unprepared to support learning continuity due to limited digital skills. Gaining and mastering new skills will help you in your professional journey and give you more confidence and comfort in the workplace. You can sign up for online courses, virtual workshops, webinars, or watch videos to enhance your digital skills and adapt to alternative learning methods. Be sure to appreciate the skills you already have. They can help you learn more!

Be kind to yourself

If you feel overwhelmed, share your feelings with another teacher, friend or family member. Conversations with your supervisor or senior school leader will help them understand and support you. Remember, a healthy relationship will have a positive effect on the children you teach.

Stay socially connected

You can isolate yourself physically to limit the spread of the virus, but it is important to stay emotionally and socially connected with your friends, family and colleagues. Celebrate with a video call, join a virtual working group, or join an online book club. When visiting others, choose outdoor activities and use masks as needed by your local health authority.

Move your body

Physical activity proves to be a powerful fighter to navigate stress and anxiety. With regular exercise, you can feel more energized throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories and feel more comfortable and positive about yourself. Even a short 10 minute brisk walk can lift our spirits and give us a huge sense of well-being. If you can’t go to the gym every day, play with your kids or have a dance party when the instructions for the day are over.

Get mental health help if needed

Take care of your mental health and wellness and seek mental health help if you have symptoms of depression, anxiety and burning. Feeling tired and unhappy is not like being frustrated. The main symptoms of depression, anxiety, heartburn and other mental health problems require special mental health attention: fatigue and sleep problems, rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath, feelings of danger, loss of appetite and weight, depression, constant headaches and pain. , And digestive problems that are not good. These symptoms, if left untreated, can prevent you from leading a happy and active life. Recognizing these symptoms and seeking treatment or psychological support is the first step in helping you feel better and even preventing other serious medical conditions.