Need Support?
Use these strategies to take care of yourself during this pandemic. The tips below are pulled from Nora Fleming's Curbing Teacher Burnout Edutopia article and Kristin Harris's PBS article, Staying Calm During Crisis.
Drink plenty of water ( 8 glasses)
Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night
Eat balanced meals (your body needs a certain amount of carbs, protein, vegetables, and vitamins in order to function properly)
Check out the USDA website for more specific information
Start by making a list of everything you have to do at specific time slots like live teaching online (Fleming).
Schedule things you need to do with more flexible timing (like office hours or grading) (Fleming).
Keep them consistent and time-boxed every week, writes Marissa King, a teacher and K-12 professional development consultant in Tulsa, Oklahoma (Fleming).
When working at the computer, the screen should be about armโs length away (25 inches) from your face, recommends the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Fleming).
They also suggest following the 20-20-20 rule to reduce eye strain: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds (Fleming).
Be aware of the contrast and brightness of your screen tooโthe screen should not be brighter than the room (Fleming).
Most importantly, adults need breaks and exercise just like kids, which can help boost mood, improve mental clarity, and relieve stress (Fleming).
Connect with your Colleagues via Zoom.
Share the strategies that are working for you and are not working for you.
Set up blocks of time for work and family.
Schedule personal time for yourself in order to recharge.
Share meals and walks with family members.