The analogy that springs to my mind when we speak to many teachers is the one about the elegant swan…. gliding on the surface of the water but underneath paddling like crazy to maintain that motion. We have coached so many teachers who have felt that they stand at the front of the class looking in total control but underneath frantically keeping it all together.
When we initially coach teachers and begin the conversation about how to maintain self care, we often hear the same thing:
“Self-care sounds great, but it feels impossible. I just don’t have the time.”
Let’s look at this from a different perspective;
The Rescue Dilemma 🌊
Imagine a child is struggling in a fast-flowing river. What is the most effective way to help?
Option A: Jump in blindly.
Option B: Throw them a life ring.
Take a second to really think about that.
If you jump in without a plan, you risk becoming a second victim. If you are “drowning” in stress, exhaustion, and burnout, you cannot effectively pull anyone else to safety. To be the life ring for your students, you have to stay afloat yourself.
The “Power of Five” Strategy 🖐️
Self-care doesn’t have to mean a weekend at a spa or an hour of meditation. We’ve seen a radical shift in the educators we coach by using the Power of Five.
It’s a simple mindset tweak that changes everything:
Set a “ Take 5 Alarm”: Pick one time during your day that is yours. ( imagine if you booked a doctors appointment you would stick to it . Give this time that same importance)
Take 5: When that alarm goes off, give yourself exactly five minutes. No marking, no emails, no “quick questions.”
Coaching tip. This time maybe in the car before heading into school or that little window before starting the engine and heading home.
Reset: Breathe, stretch, or simply sit in the silence.
Ready to Stop Treading Water?
Teachers and educators deserve more than just “getting by.” You deserve to thrive. We dive deep into these practical nervous-system resets in our Glimmer Seeker Masterclass, which can be provided both online and face to face, send us an email for more info.
We help kids—and the grown-ups who support them—find their way back to solid ground. Follow us for more strategies on educator welfare.