The Importance of Self-Care for Educators

Teaching is one of the most fulfilling yet demanding professions. As educators, whether you’re a kindergarten teacher, a high school instructor, a professor, or a personal trainer like myself, we pour so much of ourselves into our students—our energy, time, and creativity. However, this often comes at the expense of our own well-being. It’s essential to remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Prioritizing self-care isn’t just about feeling good; it’s about sustaining your passion and excelling in your profession. Inspired by my Gothic Knights NJCU basketball brother, Dr. Reggie Wright Jr., a motivational speaker with invaluable insights, I want to emphasize that self-care is a necessity, not a luxury.

As an educator in the fitness world, I focus on self-care through several key practices:

• Getting enough sleep

• Eating healthy and frequently

• Exercising regularly

• Incorporating recovery techniques such as stretching, massage, cupping, and using saunas or ice baths.

These practices require consistency and accountability. I hold myself accountable by engaging with my audience on social media, my staff, and my clients. As someone who manages two gyms with over 700 members and 35 employees, I understand the unique challenges I face. Standing at 6’6” and weighing over 300 pounds of muscle, I navigate the world differently, and I embrace this for my own benefit and for those I interact with.

The moral of the story is clear: self-care comes in many forms, and it’s vital that we prioritize it. Remember, if you don’t take care of yourself, it’s impossible to take care of others. Think of the analogy when you’re on a plane: the flight attendant always advises putting on your oxygen mask first before assisting someone else.

Let’s make self-care a priority, not just for ourselves but for the benefit of our students and communities.

#selfcare #educators #wellbeing