Over 40% of teachers report feeling high stress every day during the school year, which ties teaching with nursing as having the highest stress rate of any career – (Source: stateswaterford.org)
Challenges that contribute to the stress experienced by teacher include the high workload, work place pressures from both administration and parents and lack of proper compensation. The Continuous stress imposed by such factors leads to poor mental and physical health and subsequently, burnout. Despite the pressures, it is a teachers duty to their careers and students to take proper measures that well help keep them well-rounded and avoid burn-out.
Around 44% of new teachers quit within five years – states research conducted by the University of Pennsylvania.
What is Self-care?
Often wrongfully categorized as selfish, self-care is vital for the mental, social and physical well-being of an educator. While it is commonly imagined as simply being a spa day or a mani-pedi at your favorite salon, effective self-care is vital in order to establish a fruitful career as teacher.
For teachers, self-care is any action/activity that you do consistently to take care of yourself and your well-being. This includes the six components highlighted by the National Institute of Mental illness.
- Physical
- Psychological
- Emotional
- Spiritual
- Professional
- Social
For a teacher, being continuously mindful of these elements is necessary. Understanding and prioritizing self-care is not only essential for the well-being of teachers, but also impacts the quality of teaching they provide to their students. The main goal of this prioritization is to avoid burning out which will in turn force the teacher to deliver a poor performance in the classroom and eventually lack the feeling of satisfaction in their career.
The difference between self-care and self-indulgence is an important distinction that needs to be understood in order to apply effective methods of self-care. Self-indulgence activities focus on the immediate and short term satisfaction. For example, eating junk food or binging television might feel good in the moment but lead to more negative effects than positive ones. On the other hand, self-care is a long term investment in your well-being that will have deeper results. Continuous learning, setting boundaries between work and your private life and attending to you physiological and psychological needs are a few methods of self-care that will ensure that you stay healthy and well rounded to do your jobs effectively and enjoy doing so!
How To Practice Self-care as a Teacher?
To help remedy the draining stress of teaching impressionable minds, educators can take the following precautions and actions to limit the negative impact such a hectic profession can have.
Work and Life Balance
Establishing clear boundaries between the workspace and personal life is essential for every educator. Teachers must avoid bringing the stress of the job back home, where they are meant to rewind, relax and be ready for another day at work.
Meditation and Movement
To deal with the chaotic nature of the profession, meditation and exercise could be essential tools in destressing and finding peace after a long day’s work. Designate an appropriate slot of time in your day for exercise and/or meditation to ensure you maintain your over all health.
Equip yourself with phycological tools
Just like body armor, understanding and applying psychological tools in the way you handle your work as a teacher will turn you into a more resilient professional capable of handling any difficult situation. Some of those tools include emotional intelligence, positive reframing and mindfulness to name a few.
Establishing a strong support system
Through strong relationships and open communication, you as a teacher can find vital support in times of need. That ensure that you feel safe and have a caring presence to fall back onto. Support could be provided by your colleagues, family, friends and even your school administration.
Mentioned are only a few tools used for a teacher to take into consideration when practicing self-care. Remember that everyone is different, and it may take some experimentation to find the combination of tools that works best for an individual to manage the stressors of the job. Self-care is not a luxury but a necessity for educators who are dedicated to nurturing the minds and hearts of the next generation.