Self-care Reflection
Everybody reacts differently to stressful situations. With acute changes to normal routines, concern about the possibility of illness, and isolation from social distancing, this a uniquely stressful time, making self-care even more important. The best way you can care for yourself is to think about what you personally need to feel your best.
Reflection is central to many Responsive Classroom practices, as that is often where learning gets solidified. Below are some questions to guide you as you reflect on what will help you best take care of yourself right now. Find a quiet place and set aside about 10 minutes to reflect and create a self-care plan for yourself!
- What type of movement feels best for your body? Do you prefer intense workouts like HIIT or running, or do you feel better after a casual walk?
- What types of food make you feel best? Does your body feel best after you eat high-protein foods, vegetables, or low-sodium foods?
- What helps your mind feel calm? Do you feel calmer after talking to a friend or loved one, spending time in nature, listening to music, or reading a book?
- What makes your heart full? Do you enjoy doing a favor for someone who needs assistance, connecting with family, or checking in on an elderly neighbor?
- How much sleep do you need to feel energized during the day? When are the best times for you to go to sleep and wake up? What helps you fall asleep?
- Are you a person who feels better knowing a lot of information or limiting the facts you consume?
- Do you have any personal spiritual practices that help ground you? Are there ways you can continue those practices while social distancing?
Once you’ve answered these questions, see where you can block off 5 or 10 minutes to add one of these practices to your daily routine. For example, if you like to take walks outside, identify two five-minute time periods when you can take a walk. That may not feel like a lot of time, which is the point! If you can find five minutes in your daily routine to stop and take a walk outside, it will have a marked difference on your outlook and how your day goes.
We intentionally posed seven questions for you to reflect on. You can choose one self-care aspect each day to focus on, or you can focus on all of them! You know yourself best, so choose whatever pathway will help you feel your best during these challenging times.
Written by Sarah Fillion, Director of Consulting & Certification at Center for Responsive Schools
Tags: Reflection, self-care, Virtual Learning
106 Replies to “Self-care Reflection”
Comments are closed.
The questions made me think deeply about the importance of knowing myself, understanding what works for me and taking time during the day to make it happen. Thank you for the inspiration!~
If I set a goal for myself and write it down I feel like I have to do it and spend time for myself.
I do this all the time following the list helps me
To Do lists are a daily essential for me. But also having the ability to get out of the building/house for a few minutes during the day keeps me sain.
After spending 8 hours in Zoom trainings I had to go out for a bike ride and walk just to give my mind a break.
I am the same way with my list. I like the list provided: Movement, food, mind, heart, sleep, info, spiritual practice. Monitoring or focusing an intention on a weak one that day with the self care list is a new plan of mind. I wrote this list on my bathroom mirror so I see them first thing. I am hoping my first thoughts after seeing the list is on my self care. The more capable I am at being a practitioner of self care the more skilled I will be at helping my students.
It is all about having the discipline to do the things that we know will keep us spiritually and mentally healthy. Yoga, running, and adequate sleep are my main focus. However, as soon as I feel overwhelmed and thus stressed, I tend to stop doing those things-which is the exact opposite of what I should be doing.
This is my biggest problem I don’t follow my list or sit and do nothing or sleep. fear and lack of discipline is what messes me up
Yes its a key to reducing stress what works for me is learning by example and repetition
I appreciate the ability and focus on myself… I will use this inspiration to consider myself one of my own students
I attended a webinar yesterday about building teacher resilience and the presenter, Ricky Robertson, suggested that you write a self-care plan that will be effective on your worst day…have it in writing, in advance, so when you are unable to access those strategies on your own, there they are in writing for you!
Thank you for this!!!! I know about food, exercise, and the lot. We say we will do this but, having a written plan is great.
its a good idea just u cannot prepare for all circumstances. Strange things happen for strange reasons.
This comprehensive plan addressed all areas we need to consider each day for our self-care. Great resource!!
Thank you Sharon!
As Ceaser learned well plans change with on the ground even after long consideration. the conquest of Britain took over 90 years. Whenever you deal with people, machines, and changing needs and agendas you must constantly be configuring.
I think we forget as teachers to recharge ourselves. This was a great reminder that we can only give what we have inside. I’m learning to give myself permission to be my best self.
Hi again, Sarah! I was pleasantly surprised to see that you have also written an article about teacher self-care. In addition to what you wrote about student-self care, I believe that by human nature we cannot take care of others if we are not taking care of ourselves. I love the practice you describe where reflection leads to blocking off time to embed self-care into one’s schedule, knowing that it will lead to an individual choosing to find more time for self-care that they enjoy. I enjoy taking walks and I make sure that I include at least 30 minutes of walking into my schedule each day. I will be reflecting on the questions you posed to see what else I may add.
Hi Sarah!
I’m so happy to see that you are writing about the importance of self-care, something I have definitely been neglecting during remote learning. I’ve had a really hard time sticking to a regular work schedule, and I find myself working at all hours of the day. I’m definitely going to come up with a self-care plan so that I can be the best version of myself for my students.
Thanks for reminding us that we also need to take care of ourselves or we cannot take care of others. In wavering times of the unknown, we need to be reminded that it takes care to have strength,
Calling a friend who you know you can laugh with and will not put you down, helps ease a full or boring day. That’s my way of treating my self.
This is big one for me. My friends who make me laugh is a big part of resetting my mood. We can text or meet virtually but I lean on them when I need a friend.