Teachers’ Day. It may look like any other annual celebration and even start to lose relevance as time for most of us at school has ended. But it is a very relevant and important day for all of us.
First, let me quote the obvious (in appreciation): Teachers are the storehouses of unimaginable power to shape societies, guide, educate and most certainly turn raw monkeys into what we call humans. They taught us that 2+2= four and that mitochondria are the cell's powerhouse.
We have seen teachers in the light of academic guides, but they also very smoothly take up the role of being our counsellor, and they do it so efficiently that we call them our second mothers. Most of us can recall at least one teacher they admire, and some might still be in touch with them. Not to gain something but only to appreciate the bond that was formed.
A very common discussion around this topic is that there are two types of teachers: those who are driven by a desire to make a difference in the world and those who happen to become teachers as a last resort. Whether by choice or chance, teachers should be respected for the expertise, guidance, and handholding they have offered each of us. In short, they are true superheroes.
Now that the obvious has been discussed, have you ever considered the effort they put in to bring us the same energy and optimism every day without fail?
Teachers often struggle with the pressure to always say yes in order to prove to others how amazing, kind, and accommodating they are. This takes a lot of effort, and without even realizing it, it may consume a large amount of their time and energy.
Think about the following situation: you are a teacher, and when you get into the rhythm and flow of organizing the lesson for tomorrow, a coworker or student enters the room. They'd want to talk. Maybe they're just trying to catch up, or something is wrong. Either way, you put down your work and lean in to listen.
A teacher over the internet quoted:-
"Since it is our duty as educators to assist others, we frequently struggle with putting our oxygen masks on first. We are in the business of giving people our time, focus, concern, and energy. We also try our best to be available to friends and family after the school day. However, we hardly have anything left for ourselves, much less for the people who matter most to us after the most trying teaching days. This can eventually cause tension, animosity, and bad outcomes in our relationships. To put it plainly, we cannot always satisfy everyone. It's just not feasible, and it has too much strain. We must become adept at (and keep in mind) filling our cups too."
So, it becomes really important to help and support our teachers in their mental health struggles.
How to Support your Teacher's Mental health
APPRECIATION: Show your gratitude and acknowledge their efforts by writing a small note or saying thank you verbally.
OPEN COMMUNICATION: Talk to them and let them know that they can also talk to you in times of need, as they stand by you when you need them.
RESPECT BOUNDARIES: You need to be considerate and understand boundaries. They are as human as you, even though we call them superheroes. They need time to rejuvenate and maintain a work-life balance, so avoid overlapping them with work and your problems.
PROMOTE A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT: Promote mutual respect and collaboration in a classroom.
BE MINDFUL: Pay attention to signs of burnout and address them empathetically.
Teaching is definitely rewarding, yet for a teacher to be energetic and enthusiastic throughout the school year, personal wellness needs to be at the forefront. The following are some self-care tips that will help teachers nurture their healthy balance and keep them energized in this valuable profession.
Self-Care Tips For Teachers
Here are some self-care tips for teachers:
Self-Care: Teachers must manage their well-being activities to maintain higher energy levels. This includes getting enough rest, eating healthy, and participating in activities that reduce stress.
Positive Mindset: Maintaining a positive mindset will help to improve energy. Emphasizing the positive in teaching and rejoicing in small victories will be very helpful in building overall energy and motivation.
Set Realistic Goals: Large goals to be divided into smaller ones that are achievable. It helps to avoid stress and keeps the energy resources flowing even.
Delegate Tasks: Sharing responsibilities among colleagues or giving some responsibility to the students themselves about the classroom environment will distribute the load and save energy.
Keep Yourself Organized: A neat and well-organized classroom and schedule reduce stress and save time, which will help improve energy levels.
Engage in Professional Development: Continuous learning and professional growth can help teachers redevelop their passion and enthusiasm for teaching, improving their teaching.
Nurturing Supportive Relationships: Build relationships with colleagues, students, and parents. When support is surrounding, encouragement will be easy to come by, thus reducing burnout.
Incorporate Movement: Any kind of movement, no matter how slight, has the potential to energize you. Consider adding small movement breaks throughout your day.
Use Technology Wisely: Use Technology to save time on tasks and teaching itself. But beware: over-reliance is a fast track to burnout.
Reflect and Adjust: Reflect on an ongoing basis about what is and is not working. A given teacher may refine the strategy and seek feedback to maintain high energy throughout the year.
Conclusion
While Teachers' Day celebrates educators' great contribution to moulding lives and society, it is also meant to raise awareness regarding the need to care for one's well-being. Teachers are the unsung heroes who have committed time, energy, and compassion to helping us grow. At the same time, though, they more often than not face significant personal and professional stresses in their lives that may affect their mental health.
We might attempt to create a more supportive environment by acknowledging their hard work, giving them appreciation, opening up communication, and respecting their boundaries. In addition, teachers need to be capable of taking good care of themselves, maintaining a positive mood, having realistic goals, sharing their workload, and establishing nurturing relationships.
On this Teachers' Day celebration, let us honour them and commit ourselves to creating an enabling atmosphere for their psychological survival and well-being. In this way, the teachers will remain energized and enthusiastic and able to continue touching our lives tremendously.
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Journaling for Self-Reflection: Sometimes, not being able to care for yourself can come from a lack of self-understanding. Solh's journaling feature allows you to explore your thoughts and feelings in a safe space. By reflecting on your experiences and desires, you can gain clarity on what is stopping you from self-care.
Anonymous Support Groups: You are not alone. Solh's anonymous support groups connect you with others who understand the struggle. Share your experiences, find comfort in solidarity, and discover new perspectives on overcoming the hurdle to indulge in self-care.
Solh Buddy: Feeling lost or disconnected? Your Solh Buddy, a personalized virtual companion, is here to provide encouragement and support along the way. It can offer prompts, celebrate your victories, and remind you of your strengths as you navigate the journey towards self-care.
Talk now: Sometimes self care can make you feel overwhelmed. Solh's talk now feature gives you access to dedicated counselors to help you navigate such situations.
Solh believes in a unique approach to introducing self-care. We empower you to take charge of your well-being by offering a variety of tools. Explore Solh today and discover the power of self-reflection, connection, and support in overcoming any problem of the mind. You are not alone on this path.
