Teachers' Mental Health And Well-being

Why You Should Prioritise Self-Care As A teacher

I was recently privileged to have been invited to be part of a panel discussion with Lead For Ghana (LFG), an NGO in Ghana that seeks to ensure that every child receives excellent Education regardless of any bridging factors. The panel discussion dubbed "Ghana Education Learning Space" provided a platform where we discussed some of the prevalent issues in the Ghana Education system and I was excited to share my thoughts on the well-being of leaders in the classroom. I saw it that this is a theme that is most often not given the attention it needs as due to how teachers have been trained in the past and other factors. I therefore felt compelled to share this wisdom with readers.

Being a teacher is a difficult job that demands a lot of time, effort, and emotional involvement. It is possible to become so preoccupied with taking care of others that we fail to remember to look for ourselves. To preserve our physical, emotional, and mental health, boost productivity, and lead fulfilling lives, we must prioritise self-care. Here are several good reasons to put your health first.

Some Benefits Of prioritising Self-care

1. Prevent Burnout:

Self-care is essential for preventing burnout. Teaching can be a stressful job, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed when trying to meet the needs of students. When we fail to take care of ourselves, we may experience physical and emotional exhaustion, which can lead to burnout. By prioritising self-care, we can reduce stress levels and increase our resilience to handle challenging situations and improve productivity.

2. Set A Positive Example:

As teachers, we are role models and leaders for our students. We teach them about the importance of self-care, but we also need to practice what we preach. Through prioritising self-care, we can demonstrate to our students that taking care of oneself is essential for overall well-being.

3. Improve Mental Health:

Self-care is essential for improving mental health. Teaching can be a challenging and daunting and for that matter, it affects our mental health as humans. We can reduce the risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues when we get to realise that it is imperative to take care of our general well-being. Self-care practices such as mindfulness, exercise, and social connection can help improve our overall mental health.

4. Increase Productivity:

As I said earlier, looking after ourselves makes us more productive. When we don't take care of ourselves, we risk burning out or feeling overwhelmed. Task completion may become challenging and productivity may decline as a result. Making self-care a priority can help us feel more energized, motivated, and focused at work, which will make us more successful.

Tips for Prioritising Self-Care:

Here are some tips for prioritising self-care as a teacher:

Schedule time for self-care: Set aside time each day or week for activities that promote self-care, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones. I have heard a lot of people say "no time" when subjects like these pop up, but what I want to say is that considering these factors and employing them into your life will improve everything about you including your mood and how productive you can be.

Take breaks to unwind and recharge: This is my go-to pastime, and I stick to it. I enjoy taking breaks when I'm worn out or stressed. It could be anything as simple as listening to music or watching a movie—anything to help you unwind. Take regular pauses during the working day to revitalize yourself and lower your stress levels.

Create boundaries: A lot of people do not know how to set boundaries in their lives. Creating boundaries will make things clearer for you pertaining to your personal life and work life. Establish boundaries between work and personal life to prevent burnout. Avoid working after hours or on weekends, if possible.

Connect with others: Creating relationships with colleagues, friends, and family is essential for lowering feelings of loneliness and establishing a support network. We can find connection, understanding, and emotional support through interacting with others and connecting with people: we live in a social world where human interaction cannot be done without, it is therefore essential to identify the group that you can relate well with and create a connection with them. These interactions, whether they involve laughing with coworkers during lunch breaks, planning get-togethers with friends, or maintaining frequent contact with family members, all add to our general well-being.

It's crucial for teachers (leaders) to prioritize their own health in order to deliever satisfactorily and further preserve their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. We can avoid burnout, set a good example for our pupils, enhance our mental health, and boost productivity by regularly practicing self-care. Keep in mind that caring for ourselves is not being selfish; it is being the best version of ourselves.