With many schools remaining virtual for the upcoming school year, it’s easy and highly likely that as a parent turned educator, that you will begin to feel more stressed each day. Some of you may still be working from home, or unfortunately, not working at all. The added stress of being home all day every day with children can bring bouts of anxiety. Self-care is important to include in your routine to reduce those feelings of anxiety and stress, and increase mental focus and clarity. Getting ready for the fall school year doesn’t have to be as burdensome as it seems. Here are a few tips to improve, increase and add into your self-care routine. If you do not have a self-care routine, these tips can also help you get started.

1. Have a Steady Workspace

It’s likely you will feel out of control if every time you sit down to do work it’s in a new place. Having a steady workspace tells your brain you are ready to focus and get things done. As long as your workspace works for you, it doesn’t have to be a certain size and you can decorate it the way you like!

2. Take Breaks During the Day

It’s easy to think that because you’re home you can take a break anytime.You will quickly realize this is not the case. Scheduling breaks into your day will help make sure you are getting time to rest as you need it. Without a scheduled break it’s easy to forget to stop working for a while, or push the break back until you just don’t take one at all. Breaks are important to help rejuvenate your body and rest your mind.

3. Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is important on a regular basis, but now more than ever it is important for your body to be well rested. Working from home can definitely disrupt your sleep schedule so it’s important to make sleep a priority. Lack of sleep can result in mental fog, irritability, and a weakened immune system.

4. Eat Snacks 

Just like sleep, working from home can disrupt your eating habits. It’s important to eat regularly throughout the day to prevent you from feeling tired, irritable and forgetful. Not eating enough can also weaken your immune system like not sleeping. Try to eat snacks that are healthy and nutrient dense such as peanut butter with apples, or dried fruit, and skip the chips. 

5. Exercise

It may seem difficult to find time to exercise during the work day, but something as simple as a walk round the block can increase circulation in your body. Exercise does not have to be long. 15-30 minutes of light activity can help your body 

How Can We Help?

Learn@Home provides a hybrid learning environment that consists of one-to-one teaching sessions with a certified teacher,  as well as lesson plans that can be completed individually. Keeping your kids learning and on level is one less thing you will have to worry about during the pandemic. Let Learn@Home ease your mind and cross one thing off your to-do list so you can have a little extra time for self care in the fall during this pandemic.

These are tough times that require much flexibility on your part. Practicing self care is always important, but will be extremely beneficial if you are working from home and helping educate your child from home this fall. Take some time for yourself each day to help you remain focused, energized, and ready to work hard. Remember, this won’t last forever, so do what you have to do now to make it through the pandemic.