It is vital that as educators, we ensure that we are fully available for the students we serve. A teacher who is taking care to maintain physical, emotional, and spiritual health will be more effective than another who is not attending to their own wellbeing. As such, self-care is key. This being said, we must be careful not to dictate methods of self-care for others. Educators, just like our students, are variable individuals with unique personalities, interests, and needs.

Take Care of Yourself – In the Way That is Best for You

I have witnessed many methods of self-care by educators. Some teachers take walks with colleagues before school or during a break. Others close their classroom door for alone time during recess or prep time, away from colleagues and students. There is no one right way to practice self-care. Some educators are energized by spending time in the staff room with colleagues while others find this exhausting. It is important that we assume positive intent and treat others with grace. The more we can seek to understand rather than judge, the better we can relate to each other and create environments to support multiple methods of self-care.

Determine Your Priorities & Maximize Your Time Accordingly

As an educator, I gave feedback to students by writing comments on their work on my prep time and during lunch. I completed this in the staff room. Well-meaning colleagues accused me of working too hard, failing to keep things in perspective, and neglecting my own self-care. The reality was that this was a method of self-care for my lifestyle. In completing these work related activities during the school day, I lessened the stress I would face at home. In order for me to feel fully present with my son on the evenings and weekends, I felt compelled to complete as much as possible at work.

I have heard teachers complain that administrators send them emails very late into the evening. I admit that I too did this. However, this was a choice. I sent these emails after my son had gone to bed. As I had remembered conversations from teachers regarding late emails, I was sure to be very transparent about my reason for sending emails late in the evening. “I do not expect any of you to answer or even open emails until you return to school the following day. But this is a way for me to practice my own self-care…to be present with my son before he goes to bed, and to ensure I am able to leave the school day at a reasonable time.” I preferred to write emails late at night at home rather than staying a bit later at school to do so. This prioritizing was my personal form of self-care.

Create Routines to Minimize Your Stress

Currently, I am at school sites working with educators most days of the week. I had found that the email notifications on my phone would distract me from truly listening to and being present with these educators I serve. I let those I serve know that my norm is to answer emails within 24 hours of receiving them. As such, to minimize my stress and maximize my impact, I began answering emails each morning at home, while drinking my coffee. This allowed me to receive an email notification during the day, with confidence that I had time allotted the following morning to stay within my 24 hour timeline. I have spoken to colleagues who answer emails after they complete their work at a school site. I prefer my morning routine, my colleagues prefer the afternoon routine. Experiment with a couple of methods to find what works best for you.

As an educator, be sure to create a plan for wellness. Practice self-care in the way that works best for you. It does not need to mimic the wellness routine of the teacher next door. Perhaps you will be sure to relax when you get home by binge watching your favorite show on Netflix. Or maybe you will schedule a specific time to design the following week’s lesson plans so that you have time to spend with friends and/or family. The better you know yourself, the more effective your self-care plan will be. And remember, do not judge another’s priorities and methods of self-care. We are all unique. Celebrate variability and honor your colleagues.