There is a lot of meaning behind that saying, “you can’t pour from an empty cup”. It is so important we take care of our own needs, while we are also trying to reach out to our students and help take care of their needs.
When this quarantine started, I found myself struggling… Seriously STRUGGLING! I no longer had my alarm going off early in the morning. I no longer was heading to the gym at 4:45 AM. I want to preface this by saying, I am not one of those super fit, super healthy gals that hits the gym like clockwork every day – NO, this was a new “resolution” that I had started just before COVID quarantine hit and I have to say it was becoming one of the better parts of my day.
Without the routine, I wasn’t sure what to do anymore. I actually found my sleep schedule all out of whack from staying up late watching movies, starting spring cleaning tasks that I was determined to see all the way through or obsessively searching Pinterest to see what was trending in the education world and try to get a feel for what I “should be doing”. The thing I figured out quickly is NOBODY KNOWS. This is all new, and we are all trying to find the best way to service the needs of our students and school families.
After spending a few days binge watching a few Netflix shows, including “The Tiger King” – yes, I actually watched that craziness, and sleeping in until noon, I knew I had to get my life back into some sort of routine. I did not want to allow myself to feel sluggish, or dare I even say it?… depressed! When I realized I was falling into a funk, I went right to work trying to figure out which things needed to be a part of my daily routine to keep myself feeling good and healthy.
Tips for Self-Care During This Distance Learning
- Make a schedule. Write out a task list or a create a schedule.
- Set your alarm. Pick a time and wake up every day at that time.
- Get dressed! Yes, I know the pjs are super comfy but it is amazing how much better you feel when you are dressed in regular clothes.
- Get moving! Exercise every day. Even if it is just walking around the block. Get your body moving somehow.
- Watch your nutrition. Make sure you are eating things that are good for you and make your body feel well.
My favorite lists are simple “To-Do” lists and I highlight off the tasks as I complete them. For me, this is unbelievably satisfying!
Don’t forget to take care of your home tasks. Include those daily chores into your schedule to help maintain some balance in your life. I have found that if the upkeep on my environment is good, I tend to be more productive. It helps me to focus only on the task in front of me.
Some days, I pull this off flawlessly… Other days, I am still wearing the same pajamas from yesterday. Just remember, nobody is really doing this better than you. This is all so new and so unknown. But what truly matters is we are all out here trying to do what is best for our students. It’s all about balance!
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