Rob King
Following University, Rob worked as a TA within an SEND Department, working with a wide range of students with various needs. He then completed his PGCE in History at the Institute of Education, London. He had the opportunity to train with amazing and inspiring colleagues,…
Read more about Rob King
Do you need to teach yourself some self care?
Wellbeing and self care have never been more important. With increasing pressures on all fronts, it’s vital that you are guarding your own wellbeing. Refresh yourself, Rediscover yourself and Reassess your priorities.
But do you know where to start? Here’s 5 quick teacher self care tips to kick start your summer break.
1. Disconnect
Switch off the socials (irony very much noted). Take a break from twitter, TikTok and all the rest. We live in a world where everyone else seems to have it sussed. Leading to heighten emotions, anxiety and a whole host of ‘I’m not good enough’. Many of us teach students the dangers of too much time scrolling and the many exaggerations of the internet. Perhaps it is time for us to listen to ourselves!
Step back, take notice of the positives in your REAL world.
A break from our devices can go along way to help recentre ourselves on our true priorities. Many smartphones now come with the ability to set limits on apps (for those of us who couldn’t face going cold turkey).
2. Reconnect
Now you have disconnected you will feel your mind and time begin to clear. Use this time to reconnect with those important people in your life.
Teaching, like many professions demands a lot of you; emotionally, intellectually and physically. Term-time see us often neglect some of our relationships or prevents us from developing new ones.
Call that friend, arrange that date, book onto that cooking class you wanted to try!
3. Clear the Clutter
Whilst minimalism as a way of life might not appeal to you, clearing out the clutter can go along way to calm your mind, and increase your wellbeing. Our spaces can often reflect our state of mind.
A clear space can give you a fresh break from the year past.
Start with the room you are going to spend the most time in. If that’s too much start with clearing your desk at work before leaving for summer (September you will be glad). Look at everything you have as you sort through … Have you used it in the last few months? Does it bring you value? Does it bring you joy? If the answer is no, put in in the box for charity or get it on a selling page, someone else might find the value or joy.
4. Give yourself a break
Take a holiday. Take a holiday from your everyday life.
You don’t have to spend a fortune, or even go anywhere for that matter. Just book time to relax, set yourself an afternoon, a day, a week. In that time do what you would want to do on holiday. It’s something you can get the whole family involved in if you want, there’s something novel about taking a holiday in your own house.
Prepare your favourite food and drinks the day before. Dig out your familiar dog-eared book. Choose your holiday outfit. And then it’s as simple as heading into the garden, the local park, beach or tourist attraction.
The trick is to act as if your are on holiday. All the benefits of a holiday, non of the getting up for a 6 am flight!
5. Find the balance
The biggest trick to your own well being is to seek balance in your life. Allow time to disconnect, reconnect, clear your space and to take a break. Balance your priorities, with a focus on you and those people and things you care about.
Remember
- Refresh yourself
- Rediscover yourself
- Reassess your priorities
Teachers often make terrible students. We know it all and we’ve seen these strategies and these policies before. Please do yourself a favour, and teach yourself some self-care. Come September, you will be thankful.
