There are many ways that you can improve your mental health as an educator.
Fortunately, this is one area where you can truly think outside of the box.
Unfortunately, educators are not sure if they are truly ready to pivot out of the schools and beyond, or if they want to leave to begin with.
Sometimes educators aren’t aware of the possibilities that exist outside of the schools, thinking they have to earn a second bachelor’s degree or master’s degree to be competitive in today’s market.
That is not true either.
In fact, J. Stauffer Consulting provides webinars and coaching that dives deeper into 60 career options that educators are qualified for and are within the field of education. That is if you are interested in truly leaving the schools for good.
Today’s mental wellness tips are focused on educators but could be done by anybody.
These tips go beyond exercise, therapy, and dietary changes.
These mental wellness tips are provided by Julia Mitchell over at Outspiration who a guest writer on J. Stauffer Consulting’s blog this month.
Try horseback riding
Horseback riding is one of nature’s greatest healing treatments. These gentle giants are nonjudgmental and can help you discover an adventure in places you’ve never seen before.
Get rid of clutter
If you feel overwhelmed each time you walk through the door, start cleaning. Get rid of clutter, and organize each room in your home. This instantly injects health, positivity, and healing vibes into your environment.
After clearing your space, consider adding some greenery to improve your mood. House plants are great for bringing a little nature indoors. Consult online resources for plant care if you don’t have a green thumb.
Start a nonprofit
Helping others is one of the most direct lines toward mental health improvement for yourself. When you do good within your community, you feel good. Consider launching a charity, which is much easier if you’re set up as a legal nonprofit corporate entity. Start by writing by laws, which cover everything from conflicts of interest to board meetings to overall organizational governance.
Travel
Travel is not only good for the soul, but it is also an excellent way to overcome stress and duress. Pulling away from your responsibilities can help you regain your sense of self. Further, you’ll feel more productive once you return to your daily grind. But, how long should you get away? The No Small Plan blog cites studies that suggest seven to 11 days is ideal.
Walk more often
Walking every day has many benefits, including improving cardiovascular health, reducing stress levels, increasing energy throughout the day, and aiding in weight loss. Additionally, it can be a great way to clear your mind, connect with nature, and form new habits that can lead to positive lifestyle changes. If you live in a walkable neighborhood (with a Walk Score of over 70), you can also complete your errands on foot instead of driving.
Balance your checkbook
If you spend much of your time concerned about what you do or don’t have in your bank account, you’re wasting valuable mental energy. Spend some time at least once weekly balancing your checkbook or confirming your account balance for your online banking portal. While the numbers might not be great, knowing what you have can eliminate questions about what you can afford.
Sing
The world is your stage, and there’s no reason that you should not belt out your favorite tune. Even if you prefer to rock out in the shower, don’t let the music inside of you stay bottled up. Singing offers many mental health benefits. It can improve stress and anxiety and boost your cognitive function.
Decluttering, starting a nonprofit, traveling, and walking daily are just a few ways to improve your mental well-being.
But what if you are an educator and a combination of these options are not working or producing the changes you need?
Change jobs
If you’ve reached the pinnacle of your career and you’re not happy, it might be time to change paths.
Many different careers make sense once you are well into your adult years. A lot of folks list proofreaders and real estate agents among the best careers for those over 40 or careers that educators can pivot into. Even though the intentions of others are good, these options provided by non-educators just box in educators into places where educators aren’t happiest long term. Educators don’t know of these additional possibilities and might settle into a career where they aren’t the happiest.
If you’re a teacher trying to change careers using your current skills, and stay within the field of education, you can discover new career opportunities at J. Stauffer Consulting! J Stauffer Consulting does not confine educators trying to leave the schools into roles such as a nanny, waiter, and mail carrier. Instead, more career options are available such as Professiona lDevelopment Specialist or Customer Implementation Manager (K-12).
Countless more options are within reach… with more than 60 marvelous education careers outside of the school systems. J. Stauffer Consulting can assist you in pinpointing your ideal career fit while also offering guidance on HOW to avoid common pitfalls made by many educators that have transitioned out of the schools. The choice is all yours if you want to take it.
* Disclaimer: J. Stauffer Consulting does not receive nor endorse any article feature within this written piece. It is always recommended that you research any company of interest or product of interest to ensure that it is the right fit for you. J. Stauffer Consulting LLC is not a job placement service, nor does it guarantee employment due to factors beyond our control. All content here in is for informational purposes only.
