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Taking care of your mental health is an absolute priority. As early educators, we often believe that we have to be there for everyone else and give to everyone else first before we take time for ourselves. In reality, this way of thinking is what leads us to exhaustion and burnout.

What does the flight attendant tell you on the plane? "Put your oxygen mask on first before helping others." The same is true for self-care. In order to be the best that we can be for the children in our care, we must FIRST take time to care for ourselves.

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So where do we begin? Here are 8 ways to start prioritizing our mental health.

First, take a look inside yourself and do a self-evaluation.
People whose jobs are to take care of and educate others spend most of their time making sure everyone else is OK except for themselves. So because of this, it is doubly important that you make space to ask yourself how you're doing. Take a few minutes to ask yourself these questions and write down the answers.
- What is my “emotional home”? How do i feel emotionally on a regular basis or most of the time? Do i feel happy, content, excited, stressed, anxious, worried?
- How can I better take care of my body? Do I need more sleep, better food choices? Do I need to move my body more?
- What do I want in life that I feel like I am missing out on?
- What makes me happy or brings me joy? Make a list of things that you enjoy doing.
- What are regular daily tasks or activities that make me feel good?
- What are regular daily tasks or activities that make me stressed and anxious?
- What daily tasks and activities can I delegate or eliminate?
- What people do I hang around that elevate me and brighten my mood?
- What people do I hang around that drain me and bring me down?
2. Set up a morning routine.
Starting your day off on the right foot can make a big difference in how you feel throughout the day. Set aside some time each morning to do something that you enjoy and that sets the tone for the rest of your day. This can be something as simple as a 5 minute meditation, writing in your journal, or listing 3 things you are grateful for.
3. Set boundaries with your parents and staff.
In order to take care of yourself, you need to set boundaries. This means learning to say “no” when people ask for your time and energy. This also means leaving work at work. In a child care business, there is ALWAYS work to do. It can wait until tomorrow.
4. Find a Support System or Community.
A support system can be a group of friends, family members, other directors, facebook communities, or even a therapist. Whoever makes you feel safe and comfortable, make sure to lean on them when you need it.
5. Fuel, sleep, and movement.
Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly can do wonders for your mental health. When your body feels good, your mind will follow suit! Plan your meals ahead of time and have plenty of fresh veggies, nuts, and fruits to snack on instead of sugary snacks and processed foods. Make it a priority to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Consider going to bed and waking up at the same time each day to help regulate your body’s natural sleep rhythm.
6. Practice self care everyday.
This can be something as simple as taking a few minutes to read or taking a hot bath. Whatever makes you feel relaxed and happy, make sure to find time for it in your schedule. Here are some great ideas that others find useful.
- breathing exercises
- take a quick nap
- listen to music
- rest while closing your eyes
- talk a walk outside
- journal
- meditate
- stretch
- dance
- read
- take a relaxing bath
7. Take time off.
Working all the time without a break will only lead to burnout. Make sure to schedule in some vacation days and use them! If you are a director of a center, take Fridays off or leave early twice per week. If you have no one to leave the center with, you need to train someone ASAP! You cannot sustain working 60 hours per week on a long term basis. You must find time to relax and recharge so you can come back feeling refreshed and ready to take on anything.
8. Celebrate the wins.
No matter how small, take time to celebrate what went right during your day. Sometimes, we tend to focus on the negative things that happened or all the things that we failed to get done. Instead, list off the few things you did get done and the things that went great. You will find what you look for!
Conclusion:
Remember, your mental health should be a priority. Your work as an early childhood educator is important, and so is your mental health. By taking care of yourself, you’ll be able to better take care of those around you.
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