Lengthy lesson prep, rowdy students, piles of homework to correct… Although tutoring can be an extremely rewarding profession, we have to admit, sometimes it can get a little overwhelming. Sometimes it's enough to drive you crazy – this is why it is so important for tutors to practice mindfulness and self-care and maintain their own well-being.

Benefits of Mindfulness and Self-Care for Tutors

Reduced Stress: Working long hours can eventually lead to burnout. By practicing mindfulness, you can reduce your stress levels and focus on your mental health. By taking time to care for yourself spiritually as well as physically, you can maintain your energy and focus and be more effective when teaching.

Improved Concentration: Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and deep breathing, have shown to improve concentration and focus. This can help you stay present and engaged during tutoring sessions, which will in turn have a positive impact on your students.

Better Emotional Regulation: We all have that one student who just drives us up the walls sometimes. And yes, though that student might benefit from a good talking-to, being overwhelmed is not the best circumstance under which to lose your temper. Practicing mindfulness and self-care will help you better regulate your emotions and respond to challenging situations with greater equanimity. Let Jimmy pay for his shenanigans through conjugations of the present perfect.

Enhanced Well-Being: Yes, we may be busy saving the world on a daily basis, but tutors are humans too! Mindfulness and self-care practices can enhance overall well-being, leading to improved physical health, better sleep, and increased happiness and contentment.

So, how do we incorporate mindfulness and self-care into our daily lives?

1. Take Breaks: Remember to take breaks throughout the day – this is essential for rest and recharge. This can include taking a short walk, practicing deep breathing, or simply stepping away from your laptop for a few minutes.
2. Practice Mindful Meditation: Mindful meditation can be an effective way to reduce stress and improve concentration. You can try meditating right after you wake up, before or after a lesson, or before you go to bed – monitor your breathing or use a guided meditation app – even a few minutes can make a difference!
3. Set Boundaries: It’s no secret that setting healthy boundaries helps to avoid burnout. Yes, that means ignoring those requests to reschedule to a time that’s way past your working hours (even if your student is in a different time zone – you need your precious sleep!) Healthy boundaries can include setting limits on work hours, not checking email or responding to work-related messages outside of work hours, and prioritizing time for self-care activities.
4. Engage in Self-Care Activities: Exercise, read, take Rex out for a walk, go hiking, see an opera, take up carpentry, go to Thailand (if your schedule allows it). Take on activities that make you happy and don’t sacrifice all your time and resources to your job!
5. Connect with Other Tutors: There are many benefits of connecting with other tutors. Tutor communities can share tips, advice, and support. Joining a tutoring group or attending professional development workshops can provide opportunities for connection and collaboration with like-minded people in the industry.
   

Mindfulness and self-care are essential practices for everyone, but they’re all the more crucial (and often overlooked) when it comes to tutors. Work-by-the-hour and isolation due to the nature of many tutors’ work often causes days to blend into each other, with no clear start or end of a workday. This is a recipe for disaster that can lead to overworking, exhaustion, and eventually burnout. The good news? You can practice the techniques above to avoid burnout, and remember, we’ve got your back when it comes to saving time and stress to find teaching materials for your next lesson!