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The past two years have taken a toll on teachers. Between the constant changes of protocol and keeping parents updated, it\u2019s become increasingly difficult to take care of yourself. As a result, you may, like many, find yourself feeling the pandemic blues.<\/p>\n
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Some symptoms of the pandemic blues include:<\/p>\n
-Difficulty sleeping<\/p>\n
-Feelings of anxiety, worry, fear, and\/or irritability<\/p>\n
-Decreased motivation<\/p>\n
-Increased or decreased appetite<\/p>\n
-Feelings of depression and hopelessness<\/p>\n
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While we can\u2019t fix all these problems ourselves, we can take steps to ensure our mental health is as good as it can be under these stressful circumstances. We\u2019ve rounded up 10 things to work into your daily routine to keep your mind at peace through the chaos.<\/p>\n
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Give yourself a grading limit<\/strong><\/p>\n We know\u2014 you want to get it done all at once\u2014 but when you\u2019re grading well into the night, you\u2019ve likely burnt yourself out. Set a time every evening when you will put the pen down and move on to something you enjoy. If you\u2019re under a tight deadline, give yourself little breaks after every few finished grades.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Split up your housework<\/strong><\/p>\n When the weekend comes around, it\u2019s tempting to try and get everything done while you have the time. The major downside to that is the fact you\u2019ve spent your entire weekend doing more work instead of recharging. Think back to when you were a kid and the chore schedule you had\u2014take that route! Designate certain days for laundry, others for straightening up, and so on. You\u2019ll be glad to have your weekends back!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Try that new thing you\u2019ve been meaning to get around to<\/strong><\/p>\n That new show you\u2019ve heard all about is waiting for you! That MasterClass you bought a new notebook for isn\u2019t going to attend itself! Whatever you\u2019ve been putting off, now\u2019s the time to do it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Give yourself something to look forward to<\/strong><\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s date night with your partner or a Zoom happy hour with friends, schedule something in the future to act as an extra motivator. The week will go by a lot faster if you have something to look forward to on Friday!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Use weekends to relax<\/strong><\/p>\n Sleep in and stay in your pajamas or wake up early and hike your favorite trail. Whatever relaxation means to you, make that your priority for the weekend. You can\u2019t be your best on Monday if you\u2019re still exhausted, so take this as your permission to totally let loose.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Get extra support<\/strong><\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot of stigma around seeing a therapist in the United States, mainly because people believe their problem isn\u2019t \u201cbig enough\u201d in order to seek help. The truth is, if something is interrupting your day-to-day life, it is big enough. There\u2019s no shame in seeking out extra support when you need it. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n