Self-care is an important component of a teacher’s mental health, but there are misconceptions about what it is. It’s common to dismiss the self-care movement as “selfish” or “superficial.” But for teachers, self-care is so much more than breakfast in bed or treating yourself to a spa day. It’s about taking care of your health so that you’re prepared to be the best teacher you can be for yourself and your students. The definition of self-care is any action that you use to improve your health and well-being. According to the National Institute of Mental Illness (NAMI), there are six elements to self-care:

• Physical

• Psychological

• Emotional

• Spiritual

• Social

• Professional

Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley: Stress Management for Educators

Resources to Support SEL: Breath for Change

• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown – a must read for anyone who wants to create a courageous and truly connected culture in their school

• Daring Greatly by Brené Brown – my all-time fave by Brené, this book will help you experience the power of vulnerability and change the way you live your life, teach, parent, and more

• The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown (are you sensing she’s my absolute fave author?!) – this was the first book I read by Brené and hugely helped me shift my unhealthy perfectionistic ways

• How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi – a book that will allow your self-awareness to develop in new, powerful, and much needed ways

• Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach - this book is pretty heavy but so rich with insights and opportunities for self-awareness and self-love and will leave you dropping your jaw on a number of occasions

• Untamed by Glennon Doyle – this book, for those who identify as women, read like fiction to me and was hard to put down because of the continual truth bombs

• We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom by Bettina Love – a revolutionary read that will get you thinking about how to break down systemic barriers, create a more connected school system for your students of color, and make the kind of impact you envision

• The Last Best Cure by Donna Jackson Nakazawa – this book is the reason I finally cultivated a mindfulness practice that stuck and is a must read if you have a chronic illness

• Present-Over-Perfect by Shauna Niequist – this book was a game changer with helping me go into recovery from perfectionism; the book has religious undertones, so you’ll want to skip if that’s not your thing

• Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski – my current read with so many powerful gems that are upping my well-being game

• Self-Care 101 for Busy Parents eBook by Kristi Yeh of Parent Self-Care – this eBook by a school-based mental health clinician is filled with so many great ideas that can help parents and educators alike

• 2020 Self-Care Advent Calendar - get a daily "treat" to nourish you as you count down the days until December 25

• Get on the Waitlist for the 10-week Inward Circle Educator Self-Care Journey that starts in January 2021 (and lock in current low pricing) - get supported in moving from exhausted and overwhelmed to calm, connected, and content

• Personal Pep Talk Cards for Teachers - these great cards have tiny doses of encouragement and empowerment for educators

• Gratitude Journal - gratitude is a powerhouse that brings us joy and resilience, and this journal is a great way to cultivate a gratitude practice

• Book Light without Blue Light - enjoy cozying up with your fave book at night and get a good night's rest 

• SereniTEA Mug and Good Morning, I Love You Mug from Parent Self Care – use these cute mugs to start your day off with meaningful intentions

• Essential Oil Set - therapeutic grade essential oils that make a difference with sleep, stress, mood, energy, and overall health without extreme costs 

• Yoga Mat - I love that I can turn any room into a restorative opportunity for myself