The effects of the recent health pandemic have not only affected those infected by the disease. The turn of events has brought drastic changes to the large masses as well. From the lockdowns and other measures the government put in place as preventive measures, all sectors have had a taste of this big pinch. The education sector was greatly affected by these measures to counter the spread of the pandemic. However, the measures in place brought a rise of new challenges for educators. Mental health is a crucial aspect that’s been long overlooked. Learn more about this topic on custom term paper. The following are ways you can use to ensure your educators’ mental health is in check:
Table of Contents
1. Self-care.
Physical wellbeing heavily depends on good sleep, a balanced diet, and regular exercise. These three key aspects also support an individual’s mental health. Self-care also translates to connection: with nature, with others, yourself, and anything that brings you joy. Here are suggestions you can use to counteract stress and eventually boost your mental health:
Practice meditation and yoga.
Lower as much as possible social media interaction and news.
Contact your loved ones through a video chat or via phone.
Go hiking or go for a walk more often.
Read more books, physical books.
Practice your hobby more often.
Listen and dance to music.
2. Build a Support Network.
Remember that you’re still a part of your professional team despite the social distancing switch. Build and maintain a mutual support network by regularly reaching out to members of the staff, peer educators, trainees, and administrative staff. A great source you can get support is through professional organizations. It is a good practice to check on your peers on a national scale and even globally.
Putting aside the resources for guidance and support for helping in the transition to distance learning, you can access faculty development resources from Osmosis. They also have professional enrichment networks and faculty listserv.
3. Keep watch for burnout signs and look for wellness resources.
It’s a great way of self-care when you know the right time you need help. It comes in handy when struggling with burnout. You have the option of reviewing employee wellness and health programs, reaching out to the human resource or health departments, and familiarizing yourself with medical and personal leave policies. Similarly, you’ll want to take a look at your educators’ mental health coverage. There’s also another option where your employer can provide you with incentives or reimbursements for medication classes or gym memberships. These are available even for an online substitute.
Your workplace is there for you whenever you need help. It’s a good practice to know what you need and when you need it for you to be productive in the workplace. So, how can you know when to seek help? Consider the following questions as a guide to know when and what you need.
Do you get impatient or irritated with people in the work environment?
Has your fulfillment in your career diminished?
Do you ever feel cynical at work?
Do you feel like you’re dragging yourself to work?
Have your eating/ sleeping habits become unhealthy?
Do you have low concentration and energy, especially in the workplace?
Are you using drugs or substances as a coping mechanism?
Have you withdrawn yourself from others?
Conclusion.
Do not let yourself drown is stress and anxiety. There are plenty of ways you can get through this period of hardship. Use the above tips for your advantage.
