Symptoms of Poor Self-Care
Teachers are givers – freely expending time and energy to help others.
However, they often neglect giving themselves time to spend on their own wellbeing.
There are many reasons why, but the results of this form of neglect are predictable.
The symptoms of poor self-care include:
- Having no energy and feeling worn out
- Poor eating habits and sleep patterns
- Low motivation and confidence
- High stress levels and anxiety
- People pleasing and feeling resentful.
Self neglect develops when self-care is viewed as a selfish luxury and leaves us vulnerable to many negative emotions and degrades our wellbeing.
Self-care is not an option.
The danger of not having systematic self-care routines is that when new pressures or challenges rise up, there are no extra reserves to deal with the additional responsibilities.
HJ is not a teacher, but her story demonstrates what happens when we are not intentional about setting aside time for ourselves.
Life was busy and manageable for HJ until a serious family illness stretched her almost to breaking point.
“Ragini worked with me when I was going through a tough time and was feeling overwhelmed.
She listened carefully, made me feel at ease and helped me to set up great routines to ease my stress.
These strategies really worked and will continue to help me with my anxiety and stress.”
The strategies that worked for HJ were to set up a simple bedtime routine which helped her overcome sleeplessness.
Once rested, she became more energetic and less anxious.
Her confidence at work increased and she was able to be supportive at work and home without becoming depleted.
She learned the value of developing systematic self-care routines and committed to maintaining this practice.
Self-care is essential.
Simple self-care routines can be transformational.
When we become intentional, it’s amazing how we can find time to improve our well-being.
JJ was sinking under the pressure of a working in a hostile work environment.
Helping her rethink how she used her time and set up daily routines, stopped the downward spiral.
As she says:
“Ragini has helped me to transform back to the person I seemed to have lost for some time.
She taught me techniques to erase negative thoughts and to look at a situation from different angles.
For instance, instead of thinking that I never seem to get time for myself, I now set aside an hour or more each day to do things (even small things) that I want to do, or simply just relax and do nothing.
Did her work situation change?
No.
What changed was her attitude and the priority she gave to herself.
Self-Care is Empowering
What are some of the benefits of making self-care a priority?
PD had her hands full as a teacher and single parent of a child with profound needs.
Her daughter required constant care and life was becoming an endless round of energy draining activities and she felt that she was powerless to make changes.
After a few weeks of working together
- To create new ways of thinking
- To develop personalised routines
- To plan time for self-care
PD was transformed. As she says,
“I am definitely enjoying the fact that I can catch up on all the practical jobs that I didn’t have time to do before and can have a more organised approach by setting aims.
Also that it’s okay to have me-time and to look after myself!
I now feel I am finding myself again and that my self belief and creativity are returning.
I feel I can make plans and look ahead to new opportunities to lead a more balanced and fulfilling life.”
Self-care has to be a priority.
Self-care is not selfish or indulgent.
Self-care is essential and empowering and ultimately makes you better able to help others.
By making simple changes and investing in ourselves, we are empowered to flourish personally and professionally.
What position is self-care on your lists or agenda?
Interested in learning more?
Contact me to discuss how we can work together so that you flourish personally and professionally.
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