Self-Care isn't Selfish

Tamara Irving
Self-management is the ability to manage one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations.

Before we can manage our students, we must first manage ourselves. For me this came with a self care tactic of allowing myself to really rest, even in naps. So I went out and bought, well ordered from Amazon, a weighted blanket. It was suggested as a tool to help teachers really rest during these tough times. Is it selfish to stop the grading, stop the worrying, stop the parent emails. No it is not! Plan a moment to truly provide self care for yourself before you even think about providing it for your students. 
Every time we fly, we hear flight attendants sharing some variation of the Oxygen Mask Rule: “Should the cabin lose pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the overhead area. Please place the mask over your own mouth and nose before assisting others.”

What does placing the mask over your own mouth look like?

Check out our list of 5 self-care tools you can plan for yourself with limited time. 

  1. Write a thank you note to yourself for doing an excellent job not only teaching but surviving.

  2. Make a cup of tea….then take a moment for yourself to relax, drink your tea, and breathe.

  3. Set up grocery delivery service and add a special treat for yourself in the first order.

  4. Perform an easy chair stretch during your class breaks
     
  5. Practice meditation. Start by searching for a free app. 

Let us know in the comments how your self-care tactics are going. Being selfish is defined as lacking consideration for others and practicing self-care certainly isn’t selfish nor lacking in consideration. Take care of yourselves! 

More Teacher Tools

To learn more about how to survive during an overwhelming school year, check out our SEL and You: Teacher's Tools workshop in the SEL Foundations bundle. This workshop is available in both an elementary school teacher version and a middle & high school teacher version. Find this bundle here.
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More SEL Teacher Workshops

Identity Workshops

Focus on teaching and supporting your students as they navigate their identity, explore their emotions and develop self-management skills

Equity Workshops

Learn more about how to create an equitable learning environment in your classroom and school from perspective-taking, racial equity, neurodiversity, and more. 

Well-Being Workshops

Learn how to teach students about their own well-being including trauma-informed teaching practices and decision-making skills. 

Community Workshops

Support your students as they navigate tough social situations and create healthy relationships.

Student SEL Curriculum

Find ready-to-use SEL curriculum for your Kindergarten through 12th grade students with the Seltrove student planners! Learn more about our curriculum here.
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