Battling Educator Burnout: How to Stay Motivated and Avoid Exhaustion

Hey, wonderful educators and dedicated humans! I'm back to dive into two more sneaky types of burnout: Under-Challenged and Exhaustion Burnout. These can quietly creep up on you, leaving you feeling drained and uninspired. But fear not—let's tackle this head-on and keep our teacher mojo strong so every day doesn't have to end like this ⬇️

But first, friendly reminders😀. Stopping, starting, and changing habits is HARD. They take commitment, consistency, and sacrifice. I want to give you some tips for when this feels overwhelming because it can and most likely will at some point. Or when you want to give up or convince yourself it's not working.

Try One of These (they work really well for students too):

Micro-Routines: Start with small, manageable changes. Instead of a full workout, do a 5-minute stretch or a quick walk around the block. Gradually increase the time as it becomes a habit.

Habit Stacking: Attach a new habit to an existing one. For example, practice deep breathing exercises while waiting for your coffee to brew, or do a quick gratitude journal entry right after brushing your teeth.

Power Playlist: Create a playlist of your favorite energizing or calming songs. Use it to kickstart your day or wind down in the evening.

Mini-Meditations: If sitting for a long meditation feels daunting, try mini-meditations throughout the day. Even a minute of focused breathing can help reset your mind.

Social Accountability: Share your goals with a friend or colleague and check in regularly. Even better, find an accountability buddy who is also working on building healthy habits.

Ok...Here we go!

Under-Challenged Burnout: Breaking Free from the Blahs

Ever feel like your work is on repeat, leaving you yawning through the day and vegging out once home? Or when you dread getting involved in things you used to enjoy. That’s Under-Challenged Burnout knocking at your door. It happens when we feel like our skills aren’t being used to their full potential, leading to boredom and frustration. But guess what? We can flip the script!

Let’s Get Creative: Here’s how to shake things up and bring the fun back:

• Spice Up Your Lessons: Try new teaching methods or tech tools. Whether gamifying a lesson or using videos to jazz things up, stepping out of your comfort zone can make a huge difference. Think of it as giving your teaching a fresh coat of paint! There are many people to follow on the socials, like me @msttalks, and @kindasortateacher, @edutechwizard that can spark the vibe. A refresh is healthy in all aspects of our lives.

Check Them Out

• Dive into PD: Find a professional development course that excites you. Whether it’s something completely new or a deeper dive into a favorite topic, learning can reignite your passion. It doesn't have to be related to your job!!. I've always found that whatever I was learning could have a way of influencing my instructional practices or mindset. For me, it was gaining skills to build and manage my website, social media marketing, and all things AI. It felt empowering and I looked forward to it.

• Explore Your Hobbies: Don’t forget to nurture your creativity outside the classroom. Whether it’s painting, writing, or trying out new recipes, engaging in creative activities can rejuvenate you and even inspire new teaching ideas! For me, it started with spending time in an art class on my plan time, mainly because kiddos would invite me to see their projects or I would have a student who would need support. I would go and hang out, then I started participating, and then that became what I did most days. Sure, I was unavailable, sure I didn't get things done, but this was putting ME on the schedule for once. Shout out to the teacher who even used some of my pieces as models!! 🤣

Exhaustion Burnout: Recharging Your Batteries

Feeling like you’re running on fumes? You come home and need to veg out or struggle to even show up each morrning. Mojo gone! That’s Exhaustion Burnout. It’s not just about being tired; it’s about being bone-deep exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Like no matter how much you sleep or rest.

I noticed that sometimes, it would get bad and I just needed to take a day, but then would work from home on everything to get caught up. WTFI

Can you say red flag?! 🚩🚩

Let’s Talk Sleep: —it's crucial for brain health! Here’s how to get those zzz’s and wake up refreshed:

• Why Sleep Matters: Good sleep is like a reset button for your brain. It helps with everything from memory to emotional balance. And without it? We’re left feeling foggy and cranky—no thanks!

• Building a Routine: Set a bedtime and stick to it. Make your evenings calm and reduce screens to wind down properly. Need help? Try some light reading or meditation—whatever helps you chill. Even if you say you don't read, I challenge you to try because I bet you'll be 💤 in no time. And we all need to read more, in some way 📚
  

• Start Your Day Right: Kick off your mornings with something soothing, like a stretch or a quick mindfulness session. It sets a positive tone and helps you handle whatever the day throws your way.

Self-Care Sleep Hygiene Poster.pdf

Download PDF • 4.01MB

Let’s Wrap It Up

Remember, taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential! By getting creative and prioritizing good sleep, we can combat burnout and keep our spirits high. Let’s support each other in this journey because a well-rested, fulfilled educator is a superhero in the classroom!

Stay tuned for more tips and tricks to keep your well-being game strong. And don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences—let’s keep this conversation going and learn from each other!

Let's Stay Well Together!

Mindfully Yours,

Crystal @msttalks