December 15, 2024 • 10 mins
Unlock the secret to a truly relaxing holiday break with our latest episode on Teachers Ed Podcast! Discover how to craft a personalized self-care plan that puts your happiness and well-being first, even amidst the chaos of holiday obligations. I’m Edward Eshazer, and I will guide you through identifying energizing activities and scheduling them as must-keep appointments. Learn the art of boundary-setting, so you can prioritize the things that genuinely matter and say no to the ones that drain your energy. It’s time to reconnect with what brings you joy and practice gratitude to enrich your life and relationships.
As we wrap up our season, let's take a heartfelt moment to recognize the incredible dedication educators show every day. Despite feeling overlooked, your hard work is invaluable, and your commitment to self-care strengthens the school community. Embrace the encouragement to believe in your students, colleagues, and yourself, and remain inspired and connected as you continue your personal and professional journeys. Remember, the impact you make is profound—cherish and nurture those around you. Until we meet again in 2025, continue to be the beacon of positivity in your community.
www.EdwardDeShazer.org
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome back to the Teachers Ed podcast, the place
where the best and brightest ineducation come to be inspired,
to connect, to learn and to grow.
I'm your host, edward Eshazer,and today we are talking about
something that is incrediblyimportant and it should be
incredibly on time how to takecare of yourself over the
(00:25):
holiday break.
For teachers, for principals,for educators whatever you do in
the educational system, theholiday break is often a
double-edged sword.
On one hand, it's a much-neededtime for you to rest and
recharge.
It's a much needed time for youto rest and recharge, and, on
the other hand, it can beoverwhelming with family
(00:48):
obligations, holiday planningand hopefully not, but a lot of
times even catching up on work.
So that's why, today, I want togive you three self-care tips
to help you make the most out ofyour time off.
These tips are going to besimple.
They should be fairlyactionable and they're really
(01:09):
designed to help you prioritizeyou this holiday season.
Tip number one I want you tocreate a just for me plan.
During the holidays, it is easyto get caught up in what
everyone else needs, whetherthat's family, friends, your
(01:29):
kids, maybe even some unfinishedwork.
But before you dive into all ofthose things.
I want you to take a moment andcreate a just for me plan.
This is your chance to setaside intentional time during
the break for activities thatbring you joy and relaxation.
(01:52):
Ways that you can set up thisplan and create this plan is
number one identify what areyour recharging activities.
I want you to think about whattruly helps you relax and feel
refreshed.
Is it reading a book?
Is it going for a walk?
Is it catching up on sleep?
Is it binge watching yourfavorite Netflix show, feeling
(02:13):
guilt free?
I want you to just take asecond and write those
activities down.
If you're driving, obviously,please don't write those down.
I don't have enough money foryou to sue me, so write those
down when you get a moment ifyou are driving.
Number two schedule your time.
I want you to look at yourcalendar and block out time for
(02:36):
yourself.
I want you to treat this timeas though it is an appointment
that you can't cancel.
We always say this with peoplewho are starting their journey
in the gym.
I say we like I'm some fitnessguru.
I am not a fitness guru, butthey always say, when people are
looking at being intentionalabout getting to the gym, that
you need to schedule that timein the gym and treat it as
(02:57):
though it's an appointment oranything else that you refuse to
miss.
I want you to schedule thisjust for me time the same way.
Maybe it's a full afternoon,maybe it's just 30 minutes each
morning, but I need you toschedule that time.
And the third part, and the mostimportant part, but also the
hardest part is for you to stickto it.
It is very easy to letself-care fall by the wayside
(03:19):
when life gets busy, but remindyourself that recharging is
necessary and not selfish.
The reflective question that Ihave and I want you to think
about is what is one thing likewe made a list of the things
(03:44):
that make you feel better.
What is one thing that you cando just for yourself this
holiday season?
What I want you to do just foryourself this holiday season,
what I want you to do is writeit down, I want you to schedule
it and, most importantly, I needyou to commit to it.
And before we move into oursecond tip, this is that time of
the episode where I remind youabout the Be Well Teacher
Academy.
This is an online communitythat was created specifically
for educators who are balancingthe demands of the classroom
(04:07):
with the need for self-care.
We're going to have monthlyworkshops, we're going to have
journal prompts, we have somecourses, but most importantly,
it is a supportive network ofeducators who understand your
challenges and can offer youencouragement.
The first 250 members aregetting lifetime free access,
and that free access is going toend January 1st.
(04:27):
So if you're listening to thisbefore January 1st, sign up
today wwwbewellteachercom tosecure your lifetime founder
membership spot.
And remember your well-beingisn't just important, it is
essential for everything thatyou do.
Now let me jump into the secondtip the holidays.
We know that they can come withtons of demands, with the
(04:50):
family gatherings, the socialevents, everything that comes
along with it.
But here's the thing you do nothave to say yes to everything.
Setting boundaries is one ofthe best gifts that you can give
yourself this holiday season,and there's ways to set
boundaries, and I'm going togive you a couple ways for you
(05:10):
to set healthy boundaries.
Number one I need you to take amoment and think about the
things you want to do versus thethings you feel obligated to do
.
I want you to decide what isnon-negotiable for you.
So the first tip is decidingthose non-negotiables.
I want you to prioritize whattruly matters to you.
(05:32):
Tip number two practice sayingno.
It is okay to say no to thethings that drain your energy or
take away from your time torecharge.
For example, if attending anevent for work or attending a
holiday gathering feels morestressful and enjoyable, it is
(05:53):
okay to politely decline.
It is okay to say no to thatactivity.
And the third I want you tolimit your work over the break.
I know this one's hard, butwhat I need you to do is to step
away from work, use anout-of-the-office email reply if
(06:13):
that's necessary for you andthen remind yourself that the
work will still be there whenyou return.
Tip number three so we'vetalked about first creating the
plan and then we've talked aboutsetting the boundaries.
Our final tip is let'sreconnect with what brings you
(06:34):
joy.
The holidays are the perfecttime to reconnect with yourself,
with loved ones and with thethings that bring you joy.
And one of the easiest ways todo this and those that have
heard me speak, I always talkabout practicing gratitude.
There are some ways that youcan practice gratitude over your
holiday break.
Number one start a gratitudejournal Each morning or each
(06:57):
evening, whatever works for you.
Maybe it's at lunchtime.
Write down three things thatyou're grateful for.
They can be huge, like you know, spending time with my family.
They could be, you know, yourhealth time with my family, they
could be your health.
Or they could be small, likejust enjoying your favorite meal
or simply just having a quietmoment to yourself.
Tip number two I want us toreconnect with loved ones.
(07:19):
I want you to use this break tospend quality time with the
people who matter most to you,and I know some of you someone's
listening like, yeah, butthey're all the way across the
country, or they're across theglobe, or they're not nearby.
This can just be something assimple as a phone call or maybe,
if they're close, it's agrabbing coffee or a game night.
These moments of connection canbe incredibly restorative for
(07:45):
your mental well-being.
And the third and final one Iwant you to reflect on your wins
.
I want you to take a moment tothink about everything that
you've accomplished this year,no matter how small.
For some of you, the fact thatyou're still here, still doing
what you do, is anaccomplishment enough.
I want you to acknowledge yourhard work and remind yourself of
(08:11):
the impact that you've made inyour classroom.
I want you to remind yourselfof the impact that you've made
in your home and, as we look to2025, I want you to start being
intentional with the impact thatyou're going to make in your
heart and in your self-care.
The reflective question I wouldleave you with is what's one way
you can practice gratitude orconnection during your time off?
(08:34):
Is it journaling, is itreaching out to someone or is it
just reflecting quietly?
But, more importantly, I needyou to take action.
You can have all these greatideas, you can have all these
tips, all this information, butif you don't take action, it
will just stay that or just beinformation.
But if you don't take action,it will just stay that or just
be information.
You know, in this holiday season, I hope you all take these
three tips to heart.
(08:56):
I hope you create your just forme plan.
I hope you set boundariesaround your time and around your
energy, and I hope youreconnect through gratitude and
connection with people that areimportant to you.
I want you to remember thatthis holiday season is your
chance to rest.
(09:16):
It's your chance to recharge soyou can return to your
classroom feeling refreshed andready to inspire your students.
So which of these tips are yougoing to start with?
Let's write them down, maybeeven share them with a friend to
help you stay committed, but Ido wish you all happy holidays.
This will be the last episodeuntil 2025.
(09:38):
But I appreciate you all forjoining me.
I appreciate you all for allthe work that you do in
education, even on days wheremaybe your kids, you don't feel
your students, appreciate you.
You don't feel your staff, yourcoworkers, whoever else around
you appreciates you.
I'm just letting you know thatyou are appreciated and I
appreciate you all for joiningme and I want you to remember
(09:59):
that when you take care ofyourself and those around you,
you're building a stronger, moreconnected school community.
I want to encourage you to keepbelieving in your students,
keep believing in yourcolleagues, but, most
importantly, keep believing inyourself.
Until next time, stay inspired,stay connected and keep growing
(10:22):
.
Bye.
Welcome back to the Teachers Ed podcast, the place
where the best and brightest ineducation come to be inspired,
to connect, to learn and to grow.
I'm your host, edward Eshazer,and today we are talking about
something that is incrediblyimportant and it should be
incredibly on time how to takecare of yourself over the
(00:25):
holiday break.
For teachers, for principals,for educators whatever you do in
the educational system, theholiday break is often a
double-edged sword.
On one hand, it's a much-neededtime for you to rest and
recharge.
It's a much needed time for youto rest and recharge, and, on
the other hand, it can beoverwhelming with family
(00:48):
obligations, holiday planningand hopefully not, but a lot of
times even catching up on work.
So that's why, today, I want togive you three self-care tips
to help you make the most out ofyour time off.
These tips are going to besimple.
They should be fairlyactionable and they're really
(01:09):
designed to help you prioritizeyou this holiday season.
Tip number one I want you tocreate a just for me plan.
During the holidays, it is easyto get caught up in what
everyone else needs, whetherthat's family, friends, your
(01:29):
kids, maybe even some unfinishedwork.
But before you dive into all ofthose things.
I want you to take a moment andcreate a just for me plan.
This is your chance to setaside intentional time during
the break for activities thatbring you joy and relaxation.
(01:52):
Ways that you can set up thisplan and create this plan is
number one identify what areyour recharging activities.
I want you to think about whattruly helps you relax and feel
refreshed.
Is it reading a book?
Is it going for a walk?
Is it catching up on sleep?
Is it binge watching yourfavorite Netflix show, feeling
(02:13):
guilt free?
I want you to just take asecond and write those
activities down.
If you're driving, obviously,please don't write those down.
I don't have enough money foryou to sue me, so write those
down when you get a moment ifyou are driving.
Number two schedule your time.
I want you to look at yourcalendar and block out time for
(02:36):
yourself.
I want you to treat this timeas though it is an appointment
that you can't cancel.
We always say this with peoplewho are starting their journey
in the gym.
I say we like I'm some fitnessguru.
I am not a fitness guru, butthey always say, when people are
looking at being intentionalabout getting to the gym, that
you need to schedule that timein the gym and treat it as
(02:57):
though it's an appointment oranything else that you refuse to
miss.
I want you to schedule thisjust for me time the same way.
Maybe it's a full afternoon,maybe it's just 30 minutes each
morning, but I need you toschedule that time.
And the third part, and the mostimportant part, but also the
hardest part is for you to stickto it.
It is very easy to letself-care fall by the wayside
(03:19):
when life gets busy, but remindyourself that recharging is
necessary and not selfish.
The reflective question that Ihave and I want you to think
about is what is one thing likewe made a list of the things
(03:44):
that make you feel better.
What is one thing that you cando just for yourself this
holiday season?
What I want you to do just foryourself this holiday season,
what I want you to do is writeit down, I want you to schedule
it and, most importantly, I needyou to commit to it.
And before we move into oursecond tip, this is that time of
the episode where I remind youabout the Be Well Teacher
Academy.
This is an online communitythat was created specifically
for educators who are balancingthe demands of the classroom
(04:07):
with the need for self-care.
We're going to have monthlyworkshops, we're going to have
journal prompts, we have somecourses, but most importantly,
it is a supportive network ofeducators who understand your
challenges and can offer youencouragement.
The first 250 members aregetting lifetime free access,
and that free access is going toend January 1st.
(04:27):
So if you're listening to thisbefore January 1st, sign up
today wwwbewellteachercom tosecure your lifetime founder
membership spot.
And remember your well-beingisn't just important, it is
essential for everything thatyou do.
Now let me jump into the secondtip the holidays.
We know that they can come withtons of demands, with the
(04:50):
family gatherings, the socialevents, everything that comes
along with it.
But here's the thing you do nothave to say yes to everything.
Setting boundaries is one ofthe best gifts that you can give
yourself this holiday season,and there's ways to set
boundaries, and I'm going togive you a couple ways for you
(05:10):
to set healthy boundaries.
Number one I need you to take amoment and think about the
things you want to do versus thethings you feel obligated to do
.
I want you to decide what isnon-negotiable for you.
So the first tip is decidingthose non-negotiables.
I want you to prioritize whattruly matters to you.
(05:32):
Tip number two practice sayingno.
It is okay to say no to thethings that drain your energy or
take away from your time torecharge.
For example, if attending anevent for work or attending a
holiday gathering feels morestressful and enjoyable, it is
(05:53):
okay to politely decline.
It is okay to say no to thatactivity.
And the third I want you tolimit your work over the break.
I know this one's hard, butwhat I need you to do is to step
away from work, use anout-of-the-office email reply if
(06:13):
that's necessary for you andthen remind yourself that the
work will still be there whenyou return.
Tip number three so we'vetalked about first creating the
plan and then we've talked aboutsetting the boundaries.
Our final tip is let'sreconnect with what brings you
(06:34):
joy.
The holidays are the perfecttime to reconnect with yourself,
with loved ones and with thethings that bring you joy.
And one of the easiest ways todo this and those that have
heard me speak, I always talkabout practicing gratitude.
There are some ways that youcan practice gratitude over your
holiday break.
Number one start a gratitudejournal Each morning or each
(06:57):
evening, whatever works for you.
Maybe it's at lunchtime.
Write down three things thatyou're grateful for.
They can be huge, like you know, spending time with my family.
They could be, you know, yourhealth time with my family, they
could be your health.
Or they could be small, likejust enjoying your favorite meal
or simply just having a quietmoment to yourself.
Tip number two I want us toreconnect with loved ones.
(07:19):
I want you to use this break tospend quality time with the
people who matter most to you,and I know some of you someone's
listening like, yeah, butthey're all the way across the
country, or they're across theglobe, or they're not nearby.
This can just be something assimple as a phone call or maybe,
if they're close, it's agrabbing coffee or a game night.
These moments of connection canbe incredibly restorative for
(07:45):
your mental well-being.
And the third and final one Iwant you to reflect on your wins
.
I want you to take a moment tothink about everything that
you've accomplished this year,no matter how small.
For some of you, the fact thatyou're still here, still doing
what you do, is anaccomplishment enough.
I want you to acknowledge yourhard work and remind yourself of
(08:11):
the impact that you've made inyour classroom.
I want you to remind yourselfof the impact that you've made
in your home and, as we look to2025, I want you to start being
intentional with the impact thatyou're going to make in your
heart and in your self-care.
The reflective question I wouldleave you with is what's one way
you can practice gratitude orconnection during your time off?
(08:34):
Is it journaling, is itreaching out to someone or is it
just reflecting quietly?
But, more importantly, I needyou to take action.
You can have all these greatideas, you can have all these
tips, all this information, butif you don't take action, it
will just stay that or just beinformation.
But if you don't take action,it will just stay that or just
be information.
You know, in this holiday season, I hope you all take these
three tips to heart.
(08:56):
I hope you create your just forme plan.
I hope you set boundariesaround your time and around your
energy, and I hope youreconnect through gratitude and
connection with people that areimportant to you.
I want you to remember thatthis holiday season is your
chance to rest.
(09:16):
It's your chance to recharge soyou can return to your
classroom feeling refreshed andready to inspire your students.
So which of these tips are yougoing to start with?
Let's write them down, maybeeven share them with a friend to
help you stay committed, but Ido wish you all happy holidays.
This will be the last episodeuntil 2025.
(09:38):
But I appreciate you all forjoining me.
I appreciate you all for allthe work that you do in
education, even on days wheremaybe your kids, you don't feel
your students, appreciate you.
You don't feel your staff, yourcoworkers, whoever else around
you appreciates you.
I'm just letting you know thatyou are appreciated and I
appreciate you all for joiningme and I want you to remember
(09:59):
that when you take care ofyourself and those around you,
you're building a stronger, moreconnected school community.
I want to encourage you to keepbelieving in your students,
keep believing in yourcolleagues, but, most
importantly, keep believing inyourself.
Until next time, stay inspired,stay connected and keep growing
(10:22):
.
Bye.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.