How to look after yourself this Christmas
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Teaching is an incredibly challenging, yet highly
rewarding job, and self-care should form an essential part of the role.
There are always challenges to navigate through –
none more so than in the last 24 months – and you’ll have undoubtedly adapted
to new schedules and different ways of working, not forgetting everything
outside of the classroom environment.
With that in mind, primary, secondary and SEN
teachers need to ensure that their mental health is not neglected as they seek
to deliver the best possible outcomes for their pupils.
Take time to think about you!
Self-care is important for teachers throughout the
year, but it can be even tougher as the year draws to a close and the number of
tasks and challenges grows.
Taking time to look after your mental health and
wellbeing will enable you to thrive in the classroom at this time, as you’ll
have the energy and drive to help your pupils excel.
Your daily mental health has a huge impact on your
pupils, which is why self-care plays a pivotal role in allowing you to be the
best primary, secondary or SEN teacher than you can be.
Pause and reflect
The festive period is not only the perfect time to
indulge in chocolate, spend time with families and make snow angels (we wish),
but also a time to pause and reflect on the important things around us.
Life can be crazy, especially this time of year. It’s
always manic ensuring academic needs are met, helping students negotiate
difficulties outside of school, and managing classroom behaviour just to name a
few. Nearly two-thirds of teachers experience work as always or often
stressful. If we are not careful, it’s easy to go into a frenzy and burn out.
Whatever kind of year you’ve had, there will
undoubtedly be many triumphs and setbacks. Each one is an opportunity to stop
and recharge, learn to act in new ways, and reflect on the year past. The
importance of being reflective and thankful is immeasurable.
Plan ahead
Planning and preparation are vital in alleviating
the feeling of being overwhelmed, so you can really benefit by starting to look
ahead.
Pencil in calendar dates and think about a time
when you can take a short break to focus on your mental health and wellbeing,
be it five minutes, or even longer.
You don’t necessarily need to spend too long on
such activities, but regular breaks and time focused on you can make a big
difference to your overall wellbeing.
Rest. Recharge. Reflect. Have a great Christmas.
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