<section><h2><h1><strong>Workplace and professional self-care</strong></h1></h2><p><p><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;"> </span></p>Are you taking care of your professional wellbeing? Answer these questions to get some tips on how you could improve your professional self-care.<p> </p><p>Rate how strongly you agree or disagree with the next statements.</p></p></section><section><h2><h2><strong>Low workplace and professional self-care</strong></h2></h2><p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#3c4043;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr">You often feel exhausted after a day at work. Managing your workload is a challenge, so it can feel like you don’t have time in your day for self-care.</p><p dir="ltr"> </p><p dir="ltr">It might seem counter-intuitive, but research shows that if you can focus on your own wellbeing during a workday, you’ll have more energy to get on top of that workload. </p><p dir="ltr"> </p><p dir="ltr">How do you invest in your professional self-care? These activities can help:</p><p dir="ltr"> </p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Attend professional development programs, especially in areas that interest you or that will give you strategies for managing your workload.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Define clear boundaries with students and staff. This can be as simple as only responding to student enquiries during a set hour of the day.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Engage in regular supervision by consulting a more experienced colleague. This arrangement could be formal or informal.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Join a peer-support network with fellow teachers. Try to keep it focused on constructive reflections and support.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">If you often bring work home with you, make sure there is at least one day in your week that is totally work-free.</p></li></ul><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;"></span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;"></span></p></p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>Moderate workplace and professional self-care</strong></h2></h3><p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr">It looks like you’ve already started using strategies for your professional self-care. This is a great first step in ensuring your professional wellbeing.</p><p dir="ltr"> </p><p dir="ltr">Investing in professional self-care activities can help you build energy to face life’s challenges and support those around you when they need it. </p><p dir="ltr"> </p><p dir="ltr">How do you invest in your professional self-care? These activities can help:</p><p dir="ltr"> </p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Commit to arriving at and leaving work on time each day. If possible, consider starting a carpool and travelling with colleagues, to encourage them to leave on time, too.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Establish clear boundaries at work. Only commit to extracurricular activities you have capacity for, and negotiate additional support with your faculty when you need it. </p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Set up regular supervision with a more experienced colleague, either through a formal arrangement or just by meeting during lunch breaks on a regular basis to discuss challenges you’re facing at work. </p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">If there isn’t already a peer-support network with fellow teachers, set one up. Try to keep it focused on constructive reflections and support.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Plan ahead for the rest of the term and start thinking about what you want to accomplish next term.</p></li></ul><p><span style="background-color:transparent;"> </span></p><br /></p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>High workplace and professional self-care</strong></h2></h3><p><p><span style="color:#000000;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr">Congratulations! You’re a guru with your work/life balance. Professional self-care is keeping you on top of work, and you probably feel like you’ve got a good handle on things. </p><p dir="ltr"> </p><p dir="ltr">To push yourself even further, consider some of the following activities:</p><p dir="ltr"> </p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Find opportunities for work that is challenging and enjoyable. Set up extracurricular activities that might not already exist, such as a sports team, choir, writing challenge or student peer-support group.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Take the lead on making shared workspaces such as staff rooms more comfortable and welcoming.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Start a peer-support group or supervision sessions with co-workers you know will benefit from a little extra support. </p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Plan ahead for the rest of the term and start thinking about what you want to accomplish next term.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation"> </p></li></ul></p></section><section><h2><h2>I take regular breaks during the workday and leave on time.</h2></h2></section><section><h3><h2>I’m friendly with my co-workers, and I can go to them for support when I need it.</h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2>I’m able to set reasonable boundaries with my managers, and with students and parents/caregivers.</h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2>I can manage my workload, and I set realistic timeframes for completing tasks.</h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2>My workspaces, such as my classroom and my desk, are comfortable and comforting.</h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2>I choose to do tasks I find personally rewarding or interesting.</h2></h3></section>