Self Care Tips for Quarantined Music Teachers

When news of our schools closing to prohibit the spread of COVID-19 came through, we only had 90 minutes to say goodbye to our students.  The quarantine was very abrupt and left us feeling unmoored. We were meant to be heading into a week of leading music camps and concerts.  Now, we find ourselves, after having to deliver disappointing news to our students about canceled concerts, with a lot of unexpected time on our hands.  It would be easy to slip into hibernation right now, but we know that being intentional with our days will serve us better. We have come up with seven things that we are focusing on over the next several weeks.  We invite you to join us, and hope you find these suggestions helpful.

1. Practice Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness means that you bring your mind to the present and pay attention to what you are doing consciously.  It is easy to slip into being on “autopilot.” Spending a few minutes in the morning checking in with yourself and setting intentions for your day is a helpful mindfulness practice.  Zoe likes to focus on affirmations. You can create your own by asking yourself, “How do I want to feel?” Write your response in the present tense. Here are some of her suggestions:

Zoe’s Examples

• I allow myself time and space to reflect. 
• My mind is aware of the present.
• My heart feels compassionate and is full of love.
• My mind is stimulated by books, stories, art, scholarly articles, music that inspire me to be my best self.
• I maintain boundaries with technology and intake of the news.
• My body is free to dance.
• My voice is clear to sing, laugh and converse authentically.

2. Sleep Regularly

Keeping your body on some sort of regular schedule will help keep you feeling your best.  Make time to work in 8 hours of regular sleep, and try to make yourself go to bed and wake up around the same time.  Our bodies have an easier time getting enough rest when we structure our days. Here is an example that Zoe created for herself.  Her husband, a night owl has his own version, shifted several hours later.  

3. Move Every Day

We were made to move!  You don’t have to do a grueling workout for hours each day, but especially since we are used to being up and moving around as we teach hundreds of kids, we will keep feeling better if we go outside and enjoy a walk.  

• Go for a walk
• Pop in a workout video
• Do a yoga routine
• Ride your bike 
• Dance

YouTube is a great resource for free workouts.  Whatever will be most fun for you, warm up your muscles and move for at least 30 minutes.  Your body will thank you later with great rest!

4. Flex Your Brain

We suddenly find ourselves with time on our hands, and we have a special opportunity to learn something new!  

• Pick up an instrument that you’ve been meaning to practice.  
• Play along with a video on your ukulele
• Fill out the New York Times crossword
• Watch the MET stream their operas live
• Catch up on TED talks.  

There are many opportunities to learn available for free online.  Find something that makes you happy and give it a try!

5. Hydrate

It’s easy to reach for soda or other beverages when we’re bored.  Fill up your body with the water it needs!

• Fill a 32 oz water bottle twice a day and challenge yourself to drink both!
• Drink a minimum of 64 oz a day
• The ideal amount of water is half your body weight in oz, so a 150lb person would drink 75 oz of water.

6. Eat Well

Nourishing your body well will help keep you from feeling bloated and inflamed in a few days.  Think about eating as an act of care for your body, and how nourishing food protects your immune system.

• Try eating 6 small meals a day
• Eat within 30 minutes of waking
• Eat every 2.5 to 3 hours for a total of 6 meals
• Include protein, produce, fiber, and fat in each meal

7. Reach Out

Finally, make sure you continue to reach out and find community!  We are not alone as we navigate this strange season together.

• Join a Facebook group doing composition challenges
• Join us in our Teaching With Orff mindfulness activities
• Facetime a relative who can’t accept visitors because of quarantine 
• Host a Zoom party and do charades or Pictionary online
• Share your ideas and insights with others who need to post lessons online for students.

This is an uncertain season for all of us, but we can move through it with mindfulness.  Choosing to reach out and navigate the weeks to come in community will help us grow through a time of stress.  Seeking ways to remain grounded and connected will only make us stronger.