Welcome to The Flourishing Teacher’s Field Guide.

It’s time to sit back and soak up some life-changing content!

This week, we’re thinking about the psychology behind wellbeing and examining what could be an exciting, concise approach to taking care of our emotional and physical health.

Let’s jump in…

How Can I Possibly Find The Time To Look After Myself?

So, as you might imagine, I read a lot of articles about teaching and a lot of articles about wellbeing. And I’m particularly interested in the intersection between the two.

It’s what we’re all about.

So when I read an article that outlined a new kind of structured wellness model, it seemed too good not to share with you.

I struggle to work all the wellbeing strategies that I know are of so much value into my daily life. And I think a lot of other teachers are the same - we know what we’re supposed to do, but finding the time to do it seems almost impossible.

And finding a structure to hang it onto can be even harder.

But this step by step approach might just give you a structure that you can work with - one that gives you the results you need whilst recognising just what a demanding job we have.

Here’s my take on it…

This 5-Step Idea Might Be The Answer…

The wellness industry is booming.

As teachers, we’re particularly susceptible to looking for the latest fad in the hope that it’ll transform our lives.

But the problem is, those products, trends and fads don’t offer us a holistic approach that we can hold on to.

I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve bought a new planner or been suckered into a ‘fitness drink’ or a piece of exercise equipment.

But while purchases may provide a temporary mood boost, genuine wellbeing requires us to look beyond quick fixes and self-care fads.

Real wellness takes time, dedication and accountability, and that’s hard to sell as a product. But it’s how we need to invest in ourselves if we’re going to tangibly improve our lives.

Here’s an approach that might just work…

A Framework For True Wellbeing

Psychologist Martin Seligman's PERMA model provides an evidence-based framework for cultivating holistic wellbeing. PERMA stands for five key pillars:

1. Positive emotions

2. Engagement

3. Positive Relationships

4. Meaning

5. Achievement

Studies show that interventions based on the PERMA model can increase happiness, reduce depression, improve emotional states, and decrease anxiety.

And if they sound like the kinds of things you do with your students, you’re probably right.

But how wonderful would it be if we took these ideas on for ourselves?

Rather than superficial self-care, PERMA focuses on meeting our fundamental psychological needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness.

Three Actions For Marigold Teachers

So how can teachers put the principles of PERMA into practice, both for themselves and their students?

By behaving like Marigolds, of course!

Here are three key actions to consider:

1. Cultivate Positive Emotions

The broaden-and-build theory states that experiencing a range of positive emotions like awe, joy, gratitude and love allows us to be more psychologically creative, responsive and flexible.

Action: Try practices like the "three good things" exercise, where you list three things you felt grateful for each day. Or make an effort to notice and appreciate aspects of nature, which has been shown to boost wellbeing.

2. Create Engagement Opportunities

Identify ways for colleagues to engage with one another in ways that promote new opportunities for learning. What really matters is sharing a ‘flow’ state, building resources, planning and exploring professional development ideas through collaboration.

Action: Design staff training activities that stretch people just enough to keep them engaged without causing boredom or anxiety. Offer opportunities for creativity, problem-solving and hands-on projects that induce flow.

3. Foster Positive Relationships

While the wellness industry promotes an individual focus, PERMA emphasizes the vital role of positive relationships and connecting with something larger than oneself.

Action: Create a school environment where student and staff successes are celebrated, not diminished. Encourage kind words, listening, and inclusive group activities. Provide opportunities for community involvement through volunteer work or group projects with a prosocial purpose.

In an age of quick fixes, the PERMA model reminds us that sustainable wellbeing for teachers requires holistic effort across multiple aspects of our lives.

By prioritising positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and a sense of achievement, we can help ourselves and our colleagues develop crucial psychological resources to thrive now and in the future.

If you want to find out more about the PERMA model and get a sense of the science behind it, there’s a really useful article here.

What Are You Waiting For?

We believe that teachers achieve extraordinary things under challenging circumstances and that we all deserve to be valued, supported and celebrated.

That’s what this newsletter is all about.

If you haven’t subscribed yet, why not join the Marigold community? You’ll get weekly strategies for sustaining your wellbeing, avoiding burnout and flourishing as a person, not just a teacher.

And best of all..?

It’s free and always will be.

You can find out more about what to expect in this weekly newsletter here, or just go straight to our sign-up form.

You’re More Than Enough - You’re You!

You do a wonderful job, and just in case no one else says it, thank you for being an amazing teacher and for giving so much to your students.

In the middle of all that, don’t forget that you’re the most important thing in your universe!

Here’s a quick reminder of the PERMA approach…

In next week’s issue, we’ll share our top 5 tips for getting the most out of your teaching community!

Until then, remember, you’re more than your marking, your lesson observations and your planning.

You’re you. And that’s all you need to be.