As a music educator, you need to put in a lot of hours working hard and making sure that your students are progressing and happy. It is so easy to forget that you need to pay attention to your health as well! This post will help remind you how important it is for you to be aware of yourself - physically, mentally, emotionally - even if it means taking some time away from work or changing your approach to work.
I know we all get caught up with work and feel overwhelmed at times, but don't forget you can't help anyone else if you need help yourself.
Physical health
Eat right, get adequate exercise, sleep 7-8 hours a day, and try to relax for yourself. Find some way to manage stress so it doesn't build up. Don't overeat and cut out sugary food whenever possible. Drink plenty of water and avoid excessive caffeine/alcohol intake.
Mental health
Be aware of your moods and emotions. Have an honest conversation with yourself so you feel bottled up. Help others by helping yourself first. Stress is one of the biggest problems at work and it can take a toll on your physical health if it isn't managed properly as everyone has a different threshold.
Emotional health
Emotional health is crucial to your well-being. As music educators, we need to be emotionally healthy to help our students learn and progress in a positive/can-do environment. Being self-aware is a stepping stone to being emotionally intelligent. Empathize with the students and patiently guide them to deal with their emotions positively.
Please share what are some ways you are taking care of yourself in this pandemic? If you are struggling with something, or if there is someone who could benefit from this post, please spread the words! As a fellow educator, I can relate how important it is to take care of ourselves first and then be of help to others.
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