Mindfulness for Pandemic and Teacher Burnout

The Pandemic has brought unprecedented changes in the educating world. Teachers, now more than ever, are facing challenges that nobody ever thought would come to fruition. It is not a coincidence that constant thinking about the Pandemic has caused more episodes of the virus. Additionally, it is important to note that Mindfulness Education in acronym is ME.

So you teachers out there reading this, let me ask you one question: When are you going to begin your days with ME in mind?

Even though teachers have just returned from Thanksgiving holiday, teacher's mindsets are focused on getting to the finish line for winter break, not for the break itself, but because there is so much work to do. Dedicated teachers really don't take time off, they are constantly working towards making your child's learning experience stellar. So when do teachers really get a break? Simply said, never. Which is why Teacher Burnout has become a virus in itself.

Therefore, if any of these five thoughts have already crossed your mind,

you might well be on your way to Teacher Burnout:

• You strongly affirm that aerial spraying should not be Lysol, but Prozac

• Teachers should be allowed caffeine in IV form

• Meeting a child’s parents for the first time in December, promptly answers the question, “Why is this kid like this?”

• The staff room should have a valium vending machine

• “Limited gene pool” should be an option on the report card

If you're a teacher reading this, I’m glad you had a giggle, or at least you can relate to this teacher mindset if you are a parent. Having been a teacher for over 25 years, I completely understand that overwhelming feeling that engulfs us and keeps us up at night. Before you continue into the holiday season, take some time for yourself or ME time.

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Mindful Your Life

As teachers we give, give, give except to ourselves. So when are you going to commit to redefining your life? Shift your mindset to ME and elevate your teaching:

1. Journal write for 5 minutes. Focus on who you are, why you are here, and all the talents you have to offer to this lifetime. Make sure you write about only things that are right. If you find yourself thinking negative thoughts, then just stop.

2. Pick an individual that you don’t particularly enjoy working with and list their positive attributes.

3. Listen for negative statements in your mind or thoughts and restate them in a positive format.

4. Make your enemy your frenemy: Write them a friendship letter telling them how great they are. Don’t worry! You don’t have to give it to them

5. Breathe! Think about what you want to accomplish in 2021. Yes, we all want high test scores, but developing loving relationships will last a lifetime

Researchers state that it takes 25 to 30 days for an affirmation to manifest, or an old habit or way of thinking to change. I usually subscribe to 33 days because the number 3 features the development and the beliefs of abundance, freedom, nonjudgmental thinking, encouragement, support, talent and skills, self-expression and communication. So if you begin today, you'll be aligned with the coming new year.

I’d like to end with this beautiful quote:

“I have come to a frightening conclusion: I am the decisive element in the classroom. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or deescalated and a child humanized or dehumanized.”

- Haim Ginott ,Teacher and Child

Now don’t be a burnout, be blissfully beautiful instead!

For more articles like this or to donate please visit: MindfulYourLife.com

Dr. Patti Martin has a PhD in Philosophy Education: Curriculum & Instruction Twitter

Dr. Bria Bliss is author of Breaking Free of Bullying and collaborator for Mindfulness Education Twitter