By Cherie Nicole
25 June 2022
It is undeniable that teachers are one of the most overworked professionals in the world. They need to care for themselves and other people, which takes a toll on their physical and mental well-being. Though it is a rewarding profession, it is also a daunting one, because they are often taken for granted. So teachers, if you are not taken care of, take care of yourself first; it’s not self-indulgent. Just as it’s not possible to pour from an empty cup, you can’t give to others if you are depleted inside.
Nowadays, people are more aware of the negative impacts of hustle culture and have begun to see the importance of self-care. You may also have heard messages that encourage you to “romanticise your life” to maintain your mental well-being by only focusing on positive things and good vibes.
Yet, while it does help to be grateful for the small things in life, it is also important to do something intentionally for yourself to keep the stress at bay. After caring for other people all day every day, teachers are in dire need of self-care. But what exactly does “self-care” entail?
What is self-care?
Simply put, “self-care” is to care for yourself. Practising it, however, is not so simple. It is the act of doing things that keep your body and mind healthy. It can be as simple as watching television with your loved ones after dinner or joining a Zumba class every weekend to keep yourself fit.
However, with the amount of workload that teachers are often burdened with, it is easy to disregard self-care practices. Hence, a lot of teachers get overly stressed and burnt out and end up quitting, retiring early, or in the worst-case scenario, taking their own lives, because they cannot cope with the pressures of being a teacher.
Why is self-care important for teachers?
Teachers are at the forefront of the education system. Therefore, they are often burdened by expectations from the school, and it is easy for them to get overwhelmed with their endless responsibilities.
Teachers interact with students daily and are responsible for being a mentor figure. Students often rely on their teachers for emotional support in the school. So, if you do not take care of yourself, you won’t be able to put your best foot forward and give your best to students.
So remember, teachers, that you too deserve a break once in a while. Self-care is important for both your physical and mental health.
Keep it simple
It is easier said than done to suggest self-care practices to teachers, especially when they are always burdened with a mountain of work and too little time to complete everything. However, it is not impossible to do small things that could help enhance your mental well-being amid chaos. So teachers, here are five ways you can incorporate self-care into your daily routine.
- Listen to songs that make you happy or calm while working
One of the ways you can calm yourself down is by listening to music that makes you happy while doing your daily tasks such as preparing lesson plans or marking stacks of exercise books. You can also extend this practice into the classroom by playing fun upbeat music or slow and calming instrumental music while students complete their exercises. Music has the power to instantly lift moods in the classroom and may elevate your students’ energy levels too!
- Watch comedy TV shows or movies
Watching comedy is a great way to unwind at the end of a long day in school. So kick your shoes off, let your hair down and put your legs up and watch something that makes you laugh out loud. Even if you don’t think you have time for frivolity, watching an episode of Friends or Big Bang Theory while you take a short break can make a whole lot of difference to your mood. Watching cartoons can also help you to relax and take a breather. No matter what people say, you are never too old to watch cartoons!
- Pamper yourself
Teachers sometimes do not feel they have the time or energy to care for their appearance. However, something as simple as tying up your hair or having a shave can improve your mindset for the day and make you feel better about yourself. If you don’t have time for a full face of make-up, that’s OK, but take time to pamper yourself with a facial or a “mani-pedi” on the weekend with friends, if you’re up for it.
Or, spend some time with friends playing board games or chatting over a meal or coffee. You could also try visiting a café for some quality time with a good book and a beverage of your choice.
There are no rules to self-care. Time alone can be as rewarding as spending time with your loved ones. Pampering yourself does not need to be expensive. Sometimes, all we need is a good nap.
- Adjust your ambiance to your liking
Your environment plays a part in setting your mood when you’re working and relaxing. To keep yourself calm and comfortable while you work, brighten up your surroundings by pulling back the curtains or opening the windows to allow fresh air. Scented candles and humidifiers also help to relieve stress because essential oils help to calm our nerves.
However, be aware that essential oils may also make you sleepy so take care not to doze off on your students’ exam papers! At home, they are a good accompaniment as you lounge with a book or a good TV show at the end of your day. You could also try dimming your lights in the evening to create a cosier, more mellow environment for relaxation.
- Move your body
Walking is proven to be one of the best ways to keep fit. It is also one of the simplest forms of exercise after a long tiring day. It is not easy to get up and exercise after being bogged down all day with never-ending tasks, but even this minimal form of body movement can help to regulate your mood and keep you energised and happy. If you find yourself not having the energy to exercise, take a walk around the school for 10 minutes after sitting at your desk for hours to get some fresh air and lighten your mind.
A little stretch once in a while is good too. The key is to keep your body moving no matter how small the movement. You can also encourage your students to stretch with you before or after your lessons to teach them the importance of movement for their physical and mental wellbeing. Incorporating self-care practices in the classroom helps inculcate healthy habits and mindsets in your students and normalise caring for their mental health.
That’s a wrap!
Incorporating self-care into your daily routine does not have to be expensive or time-consuming. Allocating a small amount of your time to do something that benefits your mood and energy is a form of self-love. Everyone needs and deserves self-care.
The small things you do that keep you happy can go a long way for your mental health. Do not sideline your needs in your role as a teacher; instead, prioritise your needs as part of your responsibility as an educator. To paraphrase the words of an aircraft crew before take-off, “Remember to save yourself first before saving others”.
Cherie Nicole is a Curriculum Designer at Edvolution Enterprise. She is passionate about language and literature, and places importance on building a generation that is both kind and critical-minded.
Prior to joining Edvolution, she studied Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) and English Literature at the University of Malaya.
