Self-Care 101 for Educators…and Anyone!

More than ever, teachers need to take care of themselves in order to maintain their health, address their students’ needs and deal with the overwhelming number of responsibilities they are tasked with. Many new teachers feel anxious, stressed and depressed and are not prioritizing their own self-care. They may not have the knowledge and skills of how to deal with the stressors to avoid burn out and therefore, many leave the profession shortly after entering. Teaching has always been challenging and demanding. However, in what is quickly turning into the worst year ever, prioritizing self-care may be teachers’ first line of defense.

What is Self-Care?

Simply put, self-care means taking care of yourself. It means being healthy, so you can be well-to-do your job, help and take care of others. Self-care is self-love, a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our physical, psychological and spiritual growth. Self-love motivates you to make healthy choices in life. When you hold yourself in high esteem, you’re more likely to choose things that nurture your well-being and serve you well. It means not settling for less than you deserve. Self-care encourages you to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself so that you can transmit the good feelings to others. Help yourself first, then you can help others. Prioritizing your well-being is being responsible.