Self-Care for Online Tutors
With more and more work being done away from a traditional office, it’s become more important for people to learn how to effectively manage their time and care for their bodies.
In the past, we offered some tips on staying sane, organized and productive as an online tutor. Now, we’d like to offer a few more tips for things you can do to keep your mind and body in good condition for a day of online tutoring.
Start the day off right
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, many more workers than before have been able to work from home. Of course, this is normal for online tutors. But like many things, it has good points and bad points.
Obvious benefits include not having to drive anywhere or squeeze into a crowded rush hour train to get to and from work. However, there is still value in “commuting,” even for online tutors.
Getting up, putting on some different clothes and going outside can mentally prepare you for the day ahead by switching your brain into “work” mode. You may not want to actually leave your home (especially if the weather isn’t great!), but it’s still a good idea to have some type of routine that helps to create a clear break between personal time and when you're on the clock.
Keep a regular schedule
Our earlier post covered the importance of scheduling breaks and using them in a healthy, productive way. This time, let’s go beyond just breaks and talk about your schedule as a whole. Again, the freedom that comes with online tutoring can become a negative if not managed well.
One way to avoid burnout and maintain a consistent energy level from day to day is to keep a regular schedule. The same idea behind commuting applies here; having a consistent framework for when you start and finish each day can help you get into a good working rhythm.
Working wildly different hours each day is an option you have, but it is probably not best to do so for a long period of time. A solid structure is a foundation for better work and better health.
Make sure you’re comfortable
We’ve covered commutes and schedules, but it’s time to get more practical.
Is your chair comfortable sitting in for an extended amount of time? Is your monitor adjusted appropriately? (It should be about 25 inches from your face, with the top of the screen slightly below eye level) Could you reduce eye strain with an anti-glare screen filter or by adjusting your room's lighting? What about your headphones — are they comfortably snug or are they pinching your ears?
These small, individual things add up and can have a big impact on how comfortable you feel while working. It’s worth taking a good look at your workspace and seeing if you can make any improvements to your setup. Your back, neck, ears and eyes may thank you.
Separate your workspace
Speaking of workspaces, it’s a good idea to separate the place where you work from the rest of your home. Having one room or corner of your home as the area specific for work can help you to stay focused on your tasks when lessons are in session. It also helps to avoid an unhealthy work-life balance, as it will be harder to "unplug" from work if the same place you teach is also where you relax.
Depending on the size of your home and who you share it with, this tip may or may not be realistic for you. But if you are able, it's a worthwhile thing to do for your mental health.
Every little bit helps
Self-care is very important to be mindful of, but it's also a very easy thing to neglect, especially if you spend most of your working time by yourself.
Take a moment to see if you can make any changes to your daily routine, schedule and working area that can improve your comfort, energy levels and general well-being. We should strive to give the best lessons we can to our students, but we must first be in good condition mentally and physically ourselves.
