Six Quick Things – Well-Being

The first person in line to help you with your emotional health and well-being is you.

You know you best and, if you listen to yourself, you know best what you need, when you need it.

Learning to trust yourself involves taking action when you need to.

This can be when you start to feel the signs of stress creeping up on you, or, better still, before the cracks start to appear.

To help, here are six quick things you can do to help yourself on a daily basis.

ONE: Boundaries Mean Balance

Designate 'Work-Free' time when you do not engage in work-related tasks. Booking time for and with yourself in your working calendar is very helpful. When it’s written and scheduled, the brain accepts it as ‘do not disturb meeting time’, even though it’s you spending some quality time doing you things.

TWO: Practice ‘Micro Self-Care’ During the Day

Take short breaks throughout the school day for quick self-care activities. It could be deep breathing, stretching, or a short walk outside (especially useful in the winter months for that all-important vitamin D). And if the only place you feel you can take some ‘me-time’ is in the loo then do it. After all, if you’ve gotta go, you’ve gotta go. No questions asked.

THREE: Prioritise Tasks to Avoid Getting Overwhelmed

Each day, create a ‘Must-Do’ List of three to five tasks that need to be accomplished. Focus on what’s most urgent and let go of all those non-essential tasks. The world won’t end. My list always comprises one big thing, three not so big things and two 'I might get to them but then tomorrow is another day' things. 

FOUR: Build a Support System

It might seem like it at times but remember, you are not alone. Connect with colleagues and build a network of supportive fellow teachers (and avoid the unsupportive ones). Share experiences and offer each other emotional support, either informally or through structured groups. And remember, every now and again having a good old vent is essential.

FIVE: Adopt Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Part of the battle is remembering to stay hydrated and eat well. Without looking after your physical needs you end up cranky and run down. Then it’s a vicious circle. Keep a water bottle on your desk and have healthy foods to snack on to maintain energy and focus. That said, a little bit of what you fancy does you good so allow yourself the occasional guilt-free ‘naughty’ snack too. You’ve earned it!

SIX: You're Having a Laugh!

There’s nothing like a good giggle or even the odd belly laugh to support your well-being balance. There’s a lot to laugh about in life and plenty of things to laugh at, you being the main one. I’ve never laughed so much as when I first saw Laughing Yoga in Hong Kong.

Have a look. I defy you not to smile!

Nina Jackson has been wowing audiences across the UK and from Asia to Europe to South America with her keynotes and workshops on emotional health and well-being. Honest, warm, hard-hitting and full of fun, she helps busy teachers and leaders prioritise themselves in order to get the best out of those around them.

Please get in touch to find out more and for a chat about booking Nina for your school or organisation.

And check out her unique book for the Independent Thinking Press Of Teaching, Learning and Sherbet Lemons for more tips and ideas for improving well-being across the school community. [ITL]