We all know the saying…there’s no tired like teacher tired. But after several difficult and trying years, it is time for teachers to be serious about taking time to relax, refresh and recharge this summer! You need it and you deserve it.
We have 5 actionable, but easy tips to help you get back to you this summer! Take a week and just relax and have no plans, as much as you can. Teachers are busy during the summer too! But then, try a few of these tips.
TIP #1: Exercise
Stick with me a minute on this. Exercise doesn’t need to be training for marathons or killer workout programs unless that’s your thing! Just a daily walk is great. Walking gets your muscles moving and your heart to pumping. You may not feel like it at first but you’ll feel so much better afterwards! Walking is a mood lifter for sure!
TIP #2: Get Out In Nature
Tip #1:
Get outside! Being in nature and enjoying the sunshine really does the body good! It is relaxing and after being inside our classrooms, we need some rays. I like to sit out on my back patio and enjoy my hummingbirds, the flowers and the trees. It is peaceful for your mind. And after a year like this one, we need that!
TIP #3: Journaling & Books
In one of my weekly emails last year (sign up here) I mentioned that I was keeping a thankfulness journal. A quick and easy way to do this is to write 3 things you are thankful for every day. It just takes a couple of minutes to jot a few things down. I try to be a little more intentional than just surface level and write why I was so thankful for that particular item or event or person. Then going back and rereading these lists over time can lift your mood! If you are feeling anxious (and I know a lot of people are dealing with this issue now). journaling about those feelings can help. Just writing them down can take the power from them!
I think if we are teachers, it is almost a given that we enjoy books! Take some time and read books YOU enjoy. Then as summer goes along, read some professional books to help you get ready for the next year, if that is something that invigorates and excites you! If not, then don’t feel guilty.
TIP #4: Turn Off Social Media
Taking a break and staying off of social media may be just what some of us need. If being on social media makes you feel less than when seeing other teachers’ classrooms or vacations, stay off of it. It’s okay to do that! Some teachers enjoy spending lots of time on their classrooms and making them pretty. And that is just fine if that brings you joy. But if looking at their space makes you feel badly about yours, it’s just as okay not to be spending time there.
TIP #5: Grace
And our last time to help you relax, refresh and recharge this summer is to give yourself some grace! It’s been a tough year and you may be exhausted and worn out. Spend some time not thinking about school. Your brain needs this break! Don’t dwell on the things that didn’t bring you joy this past year (or two). Spend this summer on you and your family/friends!
Comment below and share what you are going to be doing to help yourself relax, refresh and recharge this summer! We’d love to hear about it!
And to give you back even more time, when needing to send home review work this summer, send these literacy packs. Print and send home- easy, peasy!
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