Hey there, Joyful Journey Makers! We all know that self-care is important, but let’s be honest: between lesson planning, grading, and keeping your sanity in a bustling classroom, finding time for it can feel impossible. But what if I told you that self-care doesn’t need to be a separate task on your already overwhelming to-do list? Instead, you can weave self-care into your school day without adding extra stress—yes, really!
In this post, we’ll explore how to fit self-care into your daily teaching routine, during moments you’re already working on lesson plans or managing your classroom. I’ll also introduce my Digital Interactive Lesson Planner, which not only keeps you organized but also helps you prioritize self-care throughout your day.
Why Self-Care is Non-Negotiable for Teachers (Even If You’re Busy)
Sneaky Ways to Weave Self-Care Into Your School Day
We get it—there’s no time to run off for a spa day in the middle of your school day. But here’s how you can sneak self-care into your routine without losing a second of teaching time:
- Gratitude Breaks During Planning: You’re already sitting down to plan lessons, so why not take a couple of minutes to reflect on what’s going right? Write down one thing you’re grateful for each day—whether it’s a sweet moment with a student, a fun activity that worked well, or simply that you made it through another week. Gratitude boosts your mood and gives you a positive mindset going into your next class.
- Mindful Breathing Between Classes: You know those few precious moments between classes when you’re waiting for students to shuffle in? Use that time to take a few deep breaths. Yep, that’s self-care too! Center yourself, release any stress, and approach your next lesson with calm and clarity.
- Turn Transitions into Mental Breaks: While your students are transitioning from one activity to the next, give yourself a mini mental break. Use these moments to stretch, take a sip of water, or even just take a few seconds to breathe deeply. These small pauses help you reset without stepping out of the classroom.
- Reflect While You Prep: As you prep materials or organize your classroom, take a few moments to journal about how things are going. What went well this week? What’s challenging you? This helps you process your experiences and maintain a growth mindset.
- Add Little Joys to Your Day: Not every self-care moment needs to be deep and reflective. Keep a favorite snack at your desk or make sure your classroom playlist includes a song that makes you smile. Sometimes, self-care is just about adding a little joy to the everyday moments.
Get Your Digital Interactive Lesson Planner
To make weaving self-care into your day even easier, I’ve created the Digital Interactive Lesson Planner—a sleek, elegant tool that helps you stay organized while also building self-reflection and gratitude into your daily routine. It’s designed for teachers who want to plan, reflect, and recharge, all in one place.
What’s Included:
- Over 100 Inspirational Quotes for Educators: Scattered throughout the planner, these quotes give you a quick motivational boost when you need it most. Because let’s be real—sometimes you just need that extra encouragement to keep going.
- Mindful Reflection Sections: Alongside lesson planning, the planner includes space for you to reflect on your mindset, track daily habits, and write down what you’re grateful for. This isn’t just planning; it’s a tool to nurture your well-being while organizing your work.
- Digital Stickers!: Who says planning has to be boring? Customize your planner with digital stickers that add fun, color, and a little personality to your daily routine.
- Tons of Space for Lesson Planning: There’s plenty of room to map out your lessons, track student progress, and organize your unit plans. All of this helps you stay on top of your teaching responsibilities while feeling in control.
More Ways This Planner Makes Self-Care Easy
- Google Slides Compatibility: Accessible from any computer, this planner works seamlessly with Google Slides, so you can plan from wherever you are. No need to print anything—just click, type, and go!
- Fully Editable: The planner comes with over 80 fully editable slides, meaning you can customize every part to suit your needs. Add or remove sections, update text, or personalize it with your own content.
- Daily Gratitude and Habits Tracker: You’ll find dedicated spaces to track your daily gratitude and habits—so even on your busiest days, you’re reminded to pause and focus on what’s good in your life.
- Weekly Guided Reflections: At the end of each week, use the reflection sections to look back on your wins, challenges, and areas for improvement. This is your chance to reflect on your mental health as well as your students’ progress.
The Gist of it All
By weaving self-care into your lesson planning, you’re taking care of yourself without adding more to your plate. With my Digital Interactive Lesson Planner, you can stay organized, inspired, and reflective—all while navigating your daily teaching responsibilities. So, the next time you sit down to plan a lesson, remember: it’s not just about the students. Take a moment for yourself, too!
Resources
Tate, M. L. (2023). Healthy Teachers, happy classrooms: Twelve brain-based principles to avoid burnout, increase optimism, and support physical well-being. Hawker Brownlow Education.