We chat every Tuesday night at 8:30-9:30 pm CST. All are welcome, especially EarlyEd teachers, leaders & experts. Co-founded & moderated by @techwnancy @JessicaCabeen & @VealHeidi
A1. Part of it is trust - being able to let go and rely on the routines, expectations, etc you have put in to place to continue in your absence is hard. B/C if not well established, you return to chaos that's harder to undo #ECEChat
A1In general all of us need to take care, but as Ts we give so much that its hard to turn it off and think of ourselves; It u don’t re-boot then the level of giving to Ss decreases #ecechat
A1: We are so focused on giving it our all for our students that we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves in the process! I know I for sure have fallen ill in the past from stress/overworking. #ECEchat
A1: Self-care is so important b/c we need to keep our stress levels low to stay healthy and happy BUT it can be a challenge b/c our jobs can get heavy & educators care SO much for their students #ecechat
A1: We take care of others during the day and then come home and continue to take care of our families! It is so hard to find both the time and energy for ourselves! #ecechat
I'm terrible with this and I'm not even a T yet. And I think this could apply to anyone. I'll be starting college soon so I'll have time to work on it #ECEChat
A1: We are so focused on giving it our all for our students that we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves in the process! I know I for sure have fallen ill in the past from stress/overworking. #ECEchat
Wow and you are still finding time for #ecechat! Thanks dedication!
My day was great— spent all day in classrooms and then a twitter101 training right before this! :)
Exactly! I ended up with every kind of flu/stomach bug/illness imaginable! Built up many immunities but still get sick from time to time, especially when my sweet Ss decide to sneeze/cough in my face! #ECEchat
If I'm not working, at school, have homework, or at a sporting event, I'm either:
At the gym -- which I cannot wait for because #risktaking
Hanging with friends
Doing something fun around workouts -- risk taking
etc. #ECEChat
A1: Has anyone noticed that you can serve others more easily when you feel supported by your supervisor? My need for self care actually goes down as my bucket is filled. #ecechat
A2 My co-teacher, asst. and I set dates to Mani/Pedi together. Keeps us accountable to each other to take time out…and its fun! something I would not treat myself to otherwise #ecechat
A2. Set limits, pick key goals/tasks to focus on each day. I find breaking things down into small tasks makes it manageable. I avoid creating long to-do lists and focus on the "must-dos" #ecechat
A2: We need to remind ourselves that we can't take care of our students if we do not take care of ourselves first, so we need to fill our own bucket! #ecechat
A1 Educators harvest hope every single day, a job that is difficult to do if we are exhausted and empty. Self care is essential to our work in schools. #ECEchat
A2. It is important to take time every day, even if it is a short amount of time to do something for yourself as an individual. So much of the day is taken up by our roles; teachers, parents, friends. We need to do somethings just for us. #ECEchat
A2. I also create small routines that I try to stick to for myself. If I give something up from the routine, replace it with something else equally as beneficial for self #ECEchat
A1: We need to take care of ourselves so we can be the best we can be for our students. Sometimes as Ts we can get burnt-out trying to do too many things! #ECEchat
I’m coming to my first #ECEchat and it’s on self-care... unless my cup is filled with Diet Dew it’s hard to keep moving sometimes and therein lies the problem
#ecechat I find it hard to wind down after work because if I do I'll sit down and not get up until the next day. I feel selfish when I take time for myself
A2: Make your health a priority and exercise. Take time each day to relax even if only for 5 minutes. Know that if you can get a few things on your to do list accomplished each day that is something! Sometimes you have to tell yourself it is good enough. #ecechat
A2. Going to the cabin is one of my cup (more like bucket)-filling routines. Try to get there at least 1x a month, more when I know I need it. #ECEChat
A1: Has anyone noticed that you can serve others more easily when you feel supported by your supervisor? My need for self care actually goes down as my bucket is filled. #ecechat
A2 Most folks know their own recipe for self care. Sometimes, we need a good support team to remind us to take good care of ourselves. Real friends tell you about the bags under your eyes. #ecechat
A1: We are so busy giving compassion and care to others that it's easy to get lost in the shuffle of what is. So important to add ourselves into the mix; self-care isn't selfish! #ecechat
A2 by dedicating a time to do something for ourselves! My get away is working out, we also have an intramural volleyball league through the district #sharpenthesaw#ECEchat
A3 I got to go to games 3-5 of the World Series with my boyfriend and cheer on my Houston Astros! It was so great to just forget about all the stress and work for a few hours and cheer my team on! #ECEchat
That's great advice! And the work often requires less time/energy when you have the right frame of mind. So taking time before tackling it is worth it. #ecechat
And when I say that I'm talking about
rock climbing (indoor) (gym offers it)
zip lines
Those glass bottom sky walk things in skyscrapers
Trails
air obstacle courses
etc...
I would NEVER do those as a kid as I hated risk taking
Nothing illegal LOLOLOL #ECEChat
A2: Really into the mindfulness practice this year. Reading this book which has helped me feel emotions such as disappointment or stress and breathe through them! https://t.co/1Q4d92R73K#ECEchat
A3: After about 1 month, I finally started running today. I ran 2 miles today and thought of nothing except the music through my headphones for once! #ECEchat
A3: After about 1 month, I finally started running today. I ran 2 miles today and thought of nothing except the music through my headphones for once! #ECEchat
A3: After about 1 month, I finally started running today. I ran 2 miles today and thought of nothing except the music through my headphones for once! #ECEchat
A3: After about 1 month, I finally started running today. I ran 2 miles today and thought of nothing except the music through my headphones for once! #ECEchat
A2: I've learned how important it is to have your squad in place. I have great friends, teachers and non teachers, who I know I can count on anytime, day or night #support#ECEchat
I think I’ve convinced myself that I don’t need me time since I’m always on the run. Even after a health scare, I’m already back to old habits #ECEchat
A1: In many ways taking care of yourself before others can be a huge challenge especially as an educator our first instinct is to put our students first. However, to be the best we have to do whats best for not only our students but ourselves #ECEchat
Absolutely I would -- but at their own pace in a way. That's why at 22 I opened my world up to it! If I'm still afraid to take risks myself -- how can I tell Ss they should? #ECEChat
A4. Go outside. The cabin is my ultimate escape - 3 hour drive to decompress before arriving. 3 hour drive back to transition back to reality. In-between is spent simply being present & in the moment. #ECEchat
A4 cross fit! I love it, I forget about absolutely everything that happened during the day and I am only focused on pushing through to become my strongest self. #ecechat
That’s great! Wondering if you had any tips on disconnecting from email. I have my email on my phone and can’t stand not responding to emails from parents late at night #ECEchat
A2: live each day with intention! Have a purpose, and make sure that by the end of the day you have accomplishedwhat you set out to do or at least attempted it #ECEchat
I also have a 30ish min drive to work. Love the mornings for that same reason. I'm hitting a point in the afternoon where I just want to be home, but where I work is worth it. #ECEchat
A4. I have found teaching in Nature Preschool requires a lot less trips to the cabin - being outside for 2+ hours with students reduces my stress too #ecechat
A4: It usually involves singing out loud to #Hamilton or any other Broadway show!❤❤❤Talking and laughing with my friends is also always a perfect way to destress. #ECEchat
I would NEVER EVER make any of my Ss take a risk that I would be uncomfortable taking. Everything on my list, especially the climbing & trails, are very important for children. And I'm glad I've found it as an escape #ECEChat
A4 And kids, right? Spending time with children, talking to them about what they want to talk about, or joining in on their fun is always a good choice for me. Nothing better than play. #ECEChat
A3 BREATHE also if you can sense tension/heightened anxiety take those 5 mins to turn the lights off and put on meditation music, good for the kids and good for me! #ecechat
A5: Don’t so this⬇️ Instead have your students write down memories at the end of each year in a journal and read them. They remind you of your Why! #ECEchat
Q5 simple ways, I step in and laugh with @techwnancy or visit a Ss who makes me smile and laugh. Sometimes I just walk around the building and listen! Or Sonic 🏃run #ECEchat
To answer Q5.... Do you really need to send that email or could you just hand deliver it? Take a walk outside... a walk around the building... Go walk the track during "planning time" go to an area park after school and grade/plan, etc. #ECEChat
A5. I have a very helpful watch that reminds me to breathe. Sometimes if I’m in a stressful situation, I will take a moment and focus on breathing. Also, the pulse app is very helpful at letting me know how stressed I am. Sometimes we are more stressed than we know. #ECEchat
A5: Deep breathing works. I also have a key chain of Dory from Finding Nemo- I squeeze it while singing, "Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming!" to myself and it usually makes me smile! #ECEchat
A6: that there are other educators that feel the same way and that I am not alone. I am going to intentionally take some “me” time for myself and for my family ❤️ #ECEchat
A6: My big take away is that it is normal to feel overwhelmed at times. I'm going to relax this week by taking some deep breaths with my Ss tomorrow and watching some TV after school :) #ecechat
A6 We need to make sure we are taking time to take care of ourselves! I am going to start going to the gym again. I haven't been in a while, and I would always feel the stress melt away as I was sweating it out! #ECEchat
A6. I am taking time off to be with my mom & family this week & next. Life's short and family matters most. Trusting my TAs & school support system + the work I have done up to this point will carry thru in my absence. #ECEchat
A6. Many people here seem to find exercise destressing. I generally find it to be the opposite, but I am going to intentionally try to find some form of exercise that is a stress reliever for me. Being physically healthier I think will improve my stress levels. #ECEchat
A6 So relieved to know that swearing, smoking, and drinking are not the tools of choice when it comes to self care. We could all pat ourselves on the back for that, at least. Whew! Good choices! #ECEchat
A6: Accountability from a trusted community is 1/2 the battle. Talk is good, but true self-care requires action! Start small. Set manageable goals. Bedtime 30 minutes earlier for me. #ECEchat
A6. Many people here seem to find exercise destressing. I generally find it to be the opposite, but I am going to intentionally try to find some form of exercise that is a stress reliever for me. Being physically healthier I think will improve my stress levels. #ECEchat
A6 Big take away is that working hard needs to be balanced with playing hard; find the balance in something that you enjoy; it will make you a better person all the way around #ecechat
A6. Many people here seem to find exercise destressing. I generally find it to be the opposite, but I am going to intentionally try to find some form of exercise that is a stress reliever for me. Being physically healthier I think will improve my stress levels. #ECEchat
