The Ultimate Teacher Self-Care Holiday Wish List

• Kelsey Helton
• Posted 12/21/20
• 0 comments

The holidays are a magical time, filled with parties, decorations, and music. For most, it is a time to slow down and enjoy family and friends, but for music teachers, it is a different story. 

Music teachers are some of the hardest working people in the school, especially during the holidays. How many of us prepare multiple performances, both at school and in the community, while also trying to keep up with other seasonal obligations? Between creating costumes and props for programs while baking cookies for the staff cookie swap, we lose a little bit of the magic that comes during this time of year. 

Want to fix this problem? Need to bring back the magic? Here are some ideas to make sure you (or your favorite music teacher) stay happy and healthy this holiday season. 

1. Seek Program/Concert/Show Assistance. If you need help with costumes or lights or whatever your show needs, ASK! Talk to PTA parents, former students, and your family members who have unique talents like painting, designing, or sewing. Many folks would be happy to help with your fourth-grade Nutcracker show, but if you don’t ask, they will never know you need the help! Even something as simple as folding programs or hitting play on the CD player will save your patience and time. Delegation is hard at first, but it’s a necessary skill that will make your life easier. 

2. Look for supply donations. Like program assistance, if you need 450 Santa hats for a song or five large trash cans for a can band, ask. There is probably someone who has these items and would love to donate something. Like you, other people are busy but want to help somehow, even if it is financially instead of physically. Take help when it is offered. 

3. Alone time aka “Me-time.” I am a big fan of alone time. We are the face of our program, so we need to make sure it is a pleasant and happy face. I love my family and friends dearly, but they know that I need quiet time to accomplish things. Whether it be a hot bath or just a long drive in the car to think, make sure you can find time to take care of yourself. 

4. Eat Real Food. I know we are adults, and we know what we “should” eat, but the holidays bring new challenges. Yes, you could skip lunch to set up for your concert, then binge gingerbread cookies in the lounge later, but your body will appreciate a real sandwich or salad at your feeding time. Man cannot live on gumdrops alone; make sure to set aside time to cook (if you enjoy that) or select take-out that nourishes your body. Eating Chik-Fil-A for a week straight will not be kind to you. 

5. Cut Out What Is Not Necessary. I edit the social engagements (or entanglements) that I commit to during this time of year. Between school, my church job, and a short holiday season, I need to be realistic. You cannot do it all. Select what you enjoy the most, sprinkle in your non-negotiables (like doing your job), then delete the rest. Love to bake cookies? Wonderful! Package up cookies or treats as gifts; then, you don’t need to spend so much time shopping. Does wrapping presents frustrate you? Gift bags exist. Simplify your life. I am giving you permission. 

6. Watch Your Money. The holidays are a drain on your income. Five dollars to the church bake sale? Fifty dollars for the wrapping paper fundraiser? Twenty dollars for Secret Santa? There went seventy-five dollars that you could be using for other items. You work (incredibly) hard for your money. Do not let others guilt you into spending money on things not important to you. 

7. Happiness and Hygge. Hygge is the Swedish quality of coziness. If you haven’t heard of Hygge before, it is worth a Google. I feel my best when I am comfortable, so I spend time making my space comfortable. Wear comfortable, professional clothes, light a scented candle when you get home from a long day and turn on the fire or Christmas lights when working on non-school projects. In my experience, small changes in my atmosphere make me calmer and happier, especially with Christmas right around the corner. 

8. Make Quality Music. I love to listen to children sing, but “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” on repeat drives me insane. I crave a high-quality performance of “The Nutcracker” or “Sleighride” as a musical palate-cleanser. We went to school for music for a reason. Enjoy a perfect performance or create one of your own. Call up your musician friends and just play; it is good for the soul. 

9. Sleep. Every self-care article you read discusses sleep. There is a reason; you need rest! Go to bed early, remove distractions in your sleeping space, and spend time calming yourself before bed. These small things make a big difference if you haven’t been sleeping well lately. 

10. Do You. Teachers are people-pleasers by nature. We want to do everything we can for everyone we know, and we want everything to be perfect. It is not selfish to make yourself happy, healthy, and comfortable. School can wait. Your family can make it work without you for an hour. Your work will still be there if you go to bed early. You do you. No one will take care of you more than YOU take care of you. Make yourself a priority. 

Recent years have been challenging year for teachers, and you deserve to be happy, no matter what is happening in the world. With a few simple changes, you can make life a little easier, a little cozier, and a little merrier during this holiday season.  

Contributor

Kelsey Helton

Kelsey Helton is an elementary music teacher in the Houston area. After graduating from Kansas State University, she taught two years of middle school choir and theater in Kansas City. In 2016, she moved to the great state of Texas to…

Discover more from Kelsey