As a school staff member, managing wellbeing can be challenging. The demands of teaching and supporting students, alongside administrative tasks and personal responsibilities, can leave little time for self-care. However, taking care of your own wellbeing is crucial to ensure you are in the best possible position to support others.
Here are some top tips for managing your wellbeing:
- Set boundaries and prioritise self-care
- It's important to set boundaries between work and personal life. This means scheduling time for self-care activities such as exercise, hobbies, and spending time with family and friends. Prioritising self-care can help to reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing.
- Practice mindfulness and meditation
- Mindfulness and meditation practices can help to reduce stress, improve concentration, and enhance emotional regulation. There are many apps, websites, and resources available to support the development of mindfulness skills.
- Stay connected with colleagues
- Maintaining positive relationships with colleagues is crucial for staff wellbeing. Regularly checking in with colleagues can provide a sense of social support and help to reduce feelings of isolation.
- Seek support when needed
- It's important to recognise when you need support and reach out for help when necessary. This could be through speaking with a trusted colleague, seeking support from a supervisor or seeking professional help from a therapist or counsellor.
- Take breaks throughout the day
- Taking regular breaks throughout the day can help to prevent burnout and improve productivity. This could involve taking short walks, practising breathing exercises or simply taking a few minutes to relax.
- Create a positive work environment
- Creating a positive work environment can help to improve staff wellbeing. This could involve creating a positive culture that supports staff wellbeing, providing opportunities for professional development and creating a sense of community within the workplace.
- Practise self-compassion
- Practising self-compassion involves treating yourself with kindness and understanding. This can help to reduce negative self-talk and improve overall wellbeing.
Overall, managing wellbeing is crucial to ensure you are in the best possible position to support others. By setting boundaries, practising self-care, seeking support when needed, and creating a positive work environment, you can improve your overall wellbeing and enhance your ability to support students and colleagues.