5 Cool Things Gratitude Can Do For a Teacher
When I first started teaching I noticed something disturbing about my brain…
Imagine this: I am having a super smooth day at school. Everything is going to plan and then BAM—one piece of criticism in an evaluation, one conversation with an unhappy parent, one class going cray cray—and I would mark the whole day off as terrible.
The. Whole. Day.
I used to do this a lot, and after a while I started feeling increasingly negative about school. That was until I started taking steps towards fostering a more positive mindset, and a huge part of that was starting a… (wait for it)…
Gratitude practice!
This week I shared a video outlining why a gratitude practice is so beneficial for teachers and how to start incorporating one yourself. You can check that video out here:
But for all my peeps who prefer reading, here’s what I’m talking about…
Why expressing gratitude is so great for teachers:
It helps you sleep better.
Studies have shown that a regular gratitude practice shortens the amount of time it takes to get to sleep, lengthens the amount of time you stay asleep, and improves your overall quality of sleep. And a teacher without sleep, as we all know, can be a recipe for disaster.
It gives you a natural “feel good” high.
Expressing gratitude causes the body to release dopamine, a “feel good” hormone. And who doesn’t want an extra dose of feeling good during a hectic school day?
It helps to relieve stress.
A gratitude practice has been shown to help lower blood pressure and cortisol, our stress hormone. And trust me, when testing season comes, and days at school get hectic, teachers need all the help they can get to keep stress low.
It reduces anxiety and depression.
Related to stress and sleep…studies find that lower stress and better quality sleep can help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Having been a teacher with anxiety, I can vouch that anything to help feel more relaxed and centered in the classroom is better for teacher and students alike.
It increases energy.
A teacher with no energy, like a teacher with no sleep, is disastrous in a classroom. People with regular gratitude practices have reported higher energy levels, and feel happier and healthier overall.
So…how do you actually incorporate a regular gratitude practice? A couple of recommendations:
Start small by just expressing 1-3 things you are thankful for each day.
Incorporate your practice at the same time every day (I suggest part of a morning or night routine, as those seem to be the most reliable times for teachers).
Pick a way to express your gratitude that resonates with you:
Write what you are thankful in a gratitude journal.
Say what you are thankful for to a gratitude buddy, a spouse, the mirror, or just out to the universe.
Think about what you are grateful for during a meditation practice, prayer, or…even while brushing your teeth!
On a personal level, my gratitude practice has helped me live more in the moment, it has reduced my anxiety, and it makes me feel closer to the community around me. Basically, it makes me happy!
I hope these tips help you like they have helped me :)