"Self-care is very important!" - you heard this a million times yet you forget about you. That's the first thing you should pay attention to and care about. Your family and students will thrive only after you attend to your needs, desires, and health. This blog post will give you self-care tips and ideas of activities you can start doing today! Let's begin your self-care journey...
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Listen to your favorite music
This actually takes a bit of prep time since you need to create a playlist of your favorite songs first. But then it's pure magic! When you listen to this or that song, it will definitely bring some happy memories.
Check out these cool Spotify playlists
Have a me-date
This is a new beginning for me this year. I schedule 1 me-date every week and go visit a new place. It can be a new coffee shop (new for you), cafe, or bookshop. It can be a hike to a park, a visit to a museum, etc. Explore your town as a tourist.
Watch an inspiring movie or TV-show
Are you a movie lover or do you prefer TV shows? It doesn't matter. Choose what you love and unwind.
My all time favorite TV shows
Do yoga
This is huge for me. I've been doing yoga for 3 years. For me, it's not about cool poses. It's about relaxing body and mind. If you've never done yoga or tried but didn't stick to it, you can start small. I really love Adriene as my guide. And her recent MOVE (a free 30-day yoga challenge) is perfect to begin your yoga journey. Start today!
Learn a new skill
If you are like me, you've been thinking about learning something new or doing something old again. But very often we don't have time or think we don't. Take small steps. It can take 5 or 10 minutes at first. Over time you'll see the progress.
I've recently found this platform - Skillshare. Oh boy, it has tons of courses for creative people like you. Yes. You are a teacher. You are creative. I spend 10 minutes every day watching this or that course. Look through the courses and check out the topics you never thought would interest you!
Want to start today? Get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare by using my link (affiliate).
Cool Skillshare courses I recommend
- Designing The Life You Want: 4 Exercises for Clarity and Motivation
- Document Your Life: 4 Methods to Live More Intentionally
- How to be Happier - Stoicism Masterclass
- Color Workshop: The Basics for Artists and Illustrators
- Introduction to SEO: Tactics and Strategy for Entrepreneurs (This one is great for my fellow TPT sellers and bloggers!)
Try mediation
I never thought I would be a "meditation person". It turns out I am. Still learning. But I find 5-minute daily meditations refreshing. They keep me present.
I've been using Balance to improve my sleep, stress, mood, and more. Want to try it, too? They're offering a free year to all new members.
Have a morning routine
I am not a morning person but I could use an extra hour just for me in the morning! I am not an expert in this, Amy Landino is. I've been watching her videos for 3 years and only a couple of months ago decided to give it a try - to have my morning routine. I'm learning, it's not perfect. I love this extra hour(s) for myself. And I'm sure you as an educator will appreciate this "me time" too.
Spend time with a pet
We do this throughout the day and never realize how much joy communication with a pet brings us.
Listen to inspirational podcasts
Here are amazing podcasts I listen to when I need my dose of happiness and inspiration:
- Happier with Gretchen Rubin (I love short episodes of this show a lot. These are some positive thoughts, findings, and thought-provoking ideas.)
- Daily Stoic with Ryan Holiday
- Detail Therapy with Amy Landino
- 365 Days of Good Morning, Good Life! (My recent favorite! I listen to a new mantra every day and it inspires me and makes me think about my life.).
Try the self-care alphabet
I love this self-care alphabet a lot! Try the ideas from here on the weekend or when you feel like it!
Read a book
Pretty easy, right? As a teacher, you probably love reading. You must have read tons of professional books. How about something for your soul? Have you tried reading your favorite book aloud? I love it!
Great books I recommend
- A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
- Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
- The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
Try self-care in your classroom
Bring self-care to your class and try these ideas with your students.
Keep a gratitude journal
I've recently started journaling, and I find it eye-opening. There are so many things we should be grateful for but very often we forget.
Learn to say "no"
That's a powerful one. We need to learn how to say "no" more often whenever possible.
More self-care tips for educators
- Spend time with others who bring you joy
- Ask for help
- Dance during chores (what a lovely idea!)
- Pair a self-care habit with your regular routine so it becomes automatic (Such great advice. You'll try new things to accommodate yourself and then it'll become your routine.)
- Keep a folder of kind notes or feedback from students and families (This is HUGE! We all have days when we are feeling down and think we failed as educators. Nope. This folder will be a good reminder and inspiration!)
- Celebrate your classroom wins
Want to print these Self-Care Tips and Ideas or save them on your device (with all the links mentioned)? Subscribe below and I'll send the pdf to your inbox!
Thank you so much for reading. I've tried and swear by many ideas I mentioned above. Hopefully, they will help in your self-care journey.
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