How To Take Care of Yourself After Teaching for 2 Years in a Pandemic

Teaching can be a stressful career without a widespread pandemic, so how do we take care of ourselves after teaching in a pandemic for over 2 years? 

Here are some ways we can put ourselves first. 

1. Downtime
   Start by introducing downtime within the classroom. This can be as simple as turning off the lights and allowing students to rest their heads. This gives you time to decompress before moving onto the next lesson. Kids also need breaks from learning and doing all day. Make this a routine at the same time every day giving yourself time to breathe. This does not have to be long. It could be 1-5 minutes of relaxation. 

2. Remember to Eat/Hydrate
   Teachers are often running around the school making copies, prepping for lessons, or cleaning up during their lunchtime. Use your lunchtime for actual lunch. If you feel that you have too much to do, block off the chunk of your lunch period to run your errands, but always make time to sit down and eat. Just like kids, we need fuel to be the best teachers we can be. 

3. Talk
   Talk to anyone you’re close to. Could be a colleague, a family member, or friend. Be open with your feelings; you’d be surprised how many people can relate. Create a support system where everyone supports each other. 

4. Do one thing you enjoy every day
   Make time for things you enjoy, so you don’t lose yourself. It can be reading a few pages of your book, watching a movie, or taking a walk to the park. It can be anything you enjoy, and it doesn’t have to take too long. 

5. Think about the positives
   We know it’s hard to find the positive when there is so much negativity around you, especially during a pandemic. After your day is over, sit down and make a list of small wins. It can be a student learning to write their name for the first time, or you finding a shorter route home. It doesn’t always have to be work related!

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