Putting the Oxygen Mask on Myself First (So That I Can Keep Caring For Others)
As a teacher and administrator for over 25 years (yikes!), I have come to realize just how important that rule about putting the O2 mask on yourself before others really is, and not just on an airplane. Educators are givers and are give, give, giving all day long. Then they go home and give, give, give some more (taking care of family, friends, home, and sometimes working even more). We have all seen our share of teachers who have burned out and just have nothing left – for anyone, especially themselves. If you want to be able to care for your students, family, friends, and yourself, your health and wellness needs ought to be at the top of your daily to-do list.
- Sleep. Sleep leads to improved concentration and productivity, helps you stick to your diet by allowing for better appetite regulation, it can maximize athletic performance, it helps your immune function, and studies show it can help you avoid depression. Are you getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep? How do you feel in the morning? How do you feel at 2:30pm?
- Movement. Exercise/movement strengthens our immune system and our memory, keeps our hearts in shape, and decreases blood sugar, cholesterol and depression. It boosts our energy and reduces stress. How can you incorporate more movement into your day?
- Healthy Diet. Healthy diets keep you from getting sick, increase focus, help you manage a healthy weight, give you energy, delay aging, boost your mood, and the list of benefits go on and on. Do you bring your lunch and healthy snacks to school? Do you eat plenty of nutrient rich vegetables each day? Do you have enough protein so that your blood sugar is stable throughout the day and your energy doesn’t dip?
- Meditation/Prayer/Reflection. Practicing mindfulness is linked to better coping skills and decreased stress, according to Mindfulness Research. In 2017, the American Mindfulness Research Association published a study showing that two weeks of mindfulness training changed brain waves of depression. Do you take time for YOU each day – to reflect on what went well? Do you make time to take some deep breaths and relax?
- Play and Connection. The pandemic has messed with this one big time. Yet how much better do you feel about everything after spending time with people you love doing things that are fun?! How can you incorporate laughter and play like you did when you were younger? In what ways can you connect with others, even while in a pandemic?
After you have reflected on these items, which one do you think you can adopt and get good at? How do you think they will affect both you and others in your life?
If you need help making any of these practices stick, a health coach can be the answer. Health Coaches are accountability partners that specialize in behavior change. You know what to do. Let a health coach help you get there.
