While self-care is important every day, it’s especially important to focus on it in the fall when the layers of all things are rolling. It’s stressful because if you’re like me, you’re trying to juggle it all.

Such as…

Loving,

Teaming,

Teaching,

Supporting,

Assessing,

Report card writing,

Parent/teacher conferencing,

Coping with seasonal shifts,

Meeting your family’s needs,

Not to mention, fall or winter holidays and everything that brings for those who celebrate them (and also for those who don’t).

Wellness

Self-care is required in order to do this work well and to be well while doing it, especially since many schools won’t have a break for a little while yet. While rewarding oneself with something like a purchase can give you a literal “fix” that temporarily causes a moment of feeling better, healthy self-care entails a different approach. The key is in establishing a personal, daily rhythm of care that allows you to tend to your own needs. It includes both giving and receiving support.

Why is self-care so important? First, you matter. Also, nobody can pour from an empty cup. Since many are counting on you, improve your self-care practices for their sake if doing it for your own health is too hard! You will benefit either way. Folks are better together (especially if we stop leaving some out of the *togethering* and *bettering*). Educators must help fill one another up in order to have energy to make changes for the betterment of all individuals in their school communities.

Reflect on your physical, psychological, emotional, personal, relational, spiritual, and professional needs. Specifically, think about what you could include more of in a day-to-day way to help you be a healthier, happier you!

Self-Care Bingo

Looking for a fun way to improve your self-care? Try, my new self-care bingo. I designed it just for you, and the amazingly artistic Carol Hinrichs brought it to life!

Directions:

1. Gather your people.

2. Each person fills in their own own bingo card with healthy things that help them tend to their own needs.

(Mine will probably include things like, Monday flowers on my desk, doTERRA lemon oil in my water bottle, music playlist going in my office, taking a lunch each day for a week, practicing mindfulness with students, leaving my bag of work at work (or at least my laptop cord), walking my dog after school, not checking work email at home, looking ahead and making arrangements to attend live music with friends, asking for help with something and offering help too so that two tasks are spent with someone I care about, and saying no to something so that I can read for fun.)

3. Mark your card as you tend to you. And, send a gif to your people announcing bingo when you complete a row or column.

4. Celebrate together when everyone in your group gets bingo If there’s a cost, consider working it out so that your first winner enjoys for free!

Leave a comment to let us know how it goes. Or, tag me on social media because I would love to see you taking good care of yourself and your people!

Without further delay, here’s the self-care bingo card. Enjoy!

To Learn More…

1. Consider signing up for one of my upcoming self-care seminars for educators. Learn more on my events page. I can also bring this learning to your organization either face-to-face or online. Schedule a free consultation to learn more.
2. Also, check out my beautiful affirmation cards that can help remind you of the importance of taking good care of you and your team members. They can be purchased in Ms. Jen’s Shop.

Be well,

#BuildingTraumaSensitiveSchools #SelfCare