Supporting educator mental wellbeing

Start the year right – set yourself (and your team) up with habits and routines that will promote good mental health for the year ahead.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Prioritise rest – not just sleep! Take breaks, unplug from tech, visit a gallery, let your mind wander.

• Connect – with family, friends, pets, and nature.

• Recharge – what brings you joy and gives you energy? Do it!

• Embrace your ‘play personality’ (thanks Dr Stuart Brown) – joker, storyteller, artist/creator, explorer, collector, competitor, director, mover.

• Create a predictable pattern to your day – your brain will love you for it!

• Focus on what is in your control – really in your control, not what you would like to be in your control (these might be different)!

• Move – it doesn’t matter how, whatever is safe and feels good.

• Reflect – through journalling, mindfulness, gratitude.

• Practice self-compassion – you are enough. Exactly as you are.

• Set your intention – what mindset will you choose for the coming year? How are you going to show up? What will you pay attention to? How will you use your own energy and influence the energy of others?

Make a mental wellness plan now (for you or your team), while you’re feeling refreshed (hopefully) from the summer break and before the busyness of life kicks in again! Write down your intention and the specific actions you are going to take. Keep it small – focus on one or two doable things at a time. Attach new habits to existing habits. Make it meaningful – connect it to your values and what truly matters to you. Hold yourself accountable – get yourself a buddy and keep each other on-track.

Next steps:

Of course, this can be easier said than done! Please give us a call if you would like our help to enhance the mental wellbeing of people at your school – we offer workshops, webinars, professional development days, coaching and consultancy services focused on promoting educator mental health and wellbeing.