4 Tips for Teachers to REDUCE Stress + FREE 3 Hour Summer Teacher Mental Health Training!
Hello there, fellow educator!
Fun Fact: Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your students’.
EXPLAIN YOURSELF TYLER!!
You know on an airplane, when you first sit down…and the flight attendant starts doing hand motions of emergency procedures that no one is listening to, and it looks like a high school performance art piece?
Well, if you pop out that airpod, you’ll hear them talk about the importance of (in the case of an emergency) putting on the oxygen mask for yourself FIRST, thennnnn put one on your kids or spouse or that person sitting next to you who you had an awkward greeting with.
During this diatribe, I’ve previously thought to myself “No thank you, moderately attractive flight attendant, I’ve read enough Harry Potter books to know a real hero helps those around him first!”
But their argument makes sense, you HAVE to put your mask on first, because when that cabin air pressure changes too fast, it’ll make you pass out faster than someone on the show Smallville who is about to find out Clark Kent’s powers.
Then how many of your kids or strangers in proximity are you gonna save when you’ve passed out?
Answer: Nada
You have to get yourself right, before you help save others.
This goes for our mental health, as well.
Here are a few quick tips on how to take care of yourself, inspired by some great leaders in the field:
Empower your students to take responsibility for their own mental health. This means providing a safe space for them to share their experiences and emotions.
Free Related Resource: Student Daily Reflection Journal
As Brené Brown once said, "You can't get to courage without walking through vulnerability."
2. Reduce stress by assigning group work, giving students a chance to work together and support one another.
Free Related Video: The 4 C’s of 21st Century Skills (Spoiler: Collaboration is one of them)
3. Seek mental health support if you need it, and don't be afraid to take time for yourself to recharge.
Psychologist Ellen Langer says, "Taking time for yourself gives your brain a chance to reboot, recharge, and think differently.”
4. Do NOT feel like you have to take on your students' mental health all on your own.
As education expert Rachel Dahlke says, "Teachers are not therapists. We cannot be held solely responsible for students’ mental health.” Don't be afraid to reach out for help when you need it in helping your students. Just like students sharing the assignment in Tip #2, and share the responsibility of helping students!
To reduce even more stress and anxiety, we can also take practical steps like setting boundaries, delegating tasks, and focusing on self-care.
Remember: We👏are👏not👏responsible👏for👏taking👏on👏our👏students'👏mental👏health!👏 (via Edutopia)
So, fellow teachers, be brave and vulnerable, take care of yourselves, and continue to inspire the next generation. Like we’ve heard every early-August keynote speaker say: You can't pour from an empty cup!
Don’t be so hard on yourself, you’re doing amazing with where you’re at, and you’ll keep getting even better!
As Jon Acuff probably said, "Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle."
Let's all take it one day at a time and prioritize our mental health.
That way we can help even our students prioritize theirs.
Never stop learning,
Dr. T
P.S. Got a free 3-hour running with Dr. Atkinson on “Teacher Mental Health Best Practices” that you can have to knock out your summer PD (and learn a few things in the process)! Click here and hit that Subscribe button!
P.S.S. Want the other 40+ trainings to help yourself and/or knock out your summer trainings! I got you! That’s for anyone in the Honor Roll!