Teacher self-care during challenging times

Recent school years have seen teachers facing extra challenges and concerns.

Louise O’Leary, Advocacy Manager with St Patrick’s Mental Health Services and registered occupational therapist, gives tips for teachers to support their own mental health and wellbeing.

What do we mean by self-care?

This can include more ‘basic’ things we do day-to-day, like:

• attending to personal care
• getting enough sleep
• eating regularly and stay hydrated.

It can also include things like:

• making time for yourself, for pleasure and your interests
• resting
• relaxing or mindful activities, such as meditation, yoga or deep breathing
• doing other things that help you manage stress and stay physically fit.

Another important aspect of self-care concerns our attitude to ourselves and how we balance our needs with those of other people in our lives; for example, saying no when we need to, and being comfortable reaching out for support from friends or family when we might need it.

All of these things are important contributors to good mental health in our daily lives.

Why is it important to make and manage time for yourself?

However, it’s important to remember that, if we are to look after other people in our lives in a sustainable way, including our students, we must ensure we also look after ourselves.

Research underlines the importance of teacher wellbeing in the school setting: the mental health and wellbeing of primary and secondary school teachers can influence that of their pupils, as well as their educational outcomes.

A helpful analogy to keep in mind is the key principle from airplane emergency instructions of first securing your own oxygen mask before attempting to assist others. During challenging times for classroom, home, and community life, this remains as important as ever.

What can you do to look after your mental health?

It’s vital that we:

• are compassionate with ourselves about these things
• look after ourselves and the people in our lives
• keep informed from reliable sources and in manageable amounts
• stay connected with others.