The end of the school year is upon us and if you are anything like me at the end of the year that means TIRED and a little STRESSED OUT by all the things there are to do in order to wind up the year. And this year – well I don’t know if I need to say anything more!  What a year it has been.  Teacher stress is at an all-time high and I don’t think we’ve ever needed summer more. Making teacher self-care a priority during the summer means you will be rested, rejuvenated and ready when the new year rolls around.

Hey stressed out teacher – this post is just for you.  I mean you – not your students – just you!  This time of year teacher stress is high, and understandably so.  You have been pouring your heart and soul into your job for 9 months and despite the fact that you love it, you’re tired.  Been there!  Teacher self-care is important all year long, but let’s face it, it often gets put on the back burner during the school year.

The end of the school year comes with so many hurdles to jump, “i’s” to dot, and “t’s” to cross.  It’s stressful, you know it, and you do your very best not to share or show that stress with your students or your family.  Been there too!  But there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  Your much-deserved break is quickly approaching and I want nothing more than for you to take some time to say goodbye to your stress.  That’s what today’s post is all about and it’s just for you!

My Teacher Self-Care Top 5

Sure there are lots of ways to de-stress.  Here are my teacher self-care Top 5 so you can de-stress and enjoy a stress-free summer!  Over the years I’ve tried many different things but these 5 work every time.

1.  End of the Year Massage

Yep – I do this – every single year.  In fact, my end of the year massage appointment is booked months in advance and I look forward to it for months too.  When I get stressed, I carry it in my muscles.  My back cramps up and gets very tight.  Sometimes it is physically painful.  But I don’t just go get a massage because of that.  I really enjoy the quiet “me time” too. It’s the perfect self-care activity for this teacher!

I have a massage therapist that I adore, and over the years has become a great friend.  She is an amazing person that I enjoy chatting with and she has these fingers that know just where to find my stress knots.  I call them her magic fingers!  🙂  My body gets physically relaxed, my mind gets relaxed, and I leave there rejuvenated and ready to take on summer!

If you’ve never had a massage I highly recommend one.  If you’ve got a thing about not doing it, a facial or good pedicure works just as well!  Make some time for a little pampering, it’s teacher self-care that has lasting benefits.

2.  Set School Aside to Relieve Teacher Stress

Setting school aside can be challenging, yet it’s incredibly important for our well-being. It’s crucial to give ourselves permission to take a break, to not dwell on the past year’s challenges or fret about the next.

Personally, I find it essential to detach from anything school-related for a significant stretch, typically ranging from 2 to 4 weeks. During this time, I focus on unwinding and reconnecting with aspects of life that often take a backseat during the school year.

The duration of this break varies from person to person, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Each of us knows when we’re ready to re-engage with school-related matters. Whether it’s a few days or a couple of weeks, carving out this time for ourselves is the perfect way to relieve teacher stress. I’ve found that dedicating even a short period to set aside school-related concerns yields immense benefits, allowing us to return refreshed and ready to tackle whatever lies ahead.

3.  Spend Time with Those You Love

For me, this is my family. I love spending time with my family, and during the school year, that family time just seems so little. We’re all so busy with work and school, and sometimes it feels like we’re always rushing from one thing to the next. But when summer rolls around, everything slows down, and we finally have the chance to just be together. We love using the time of the summer to do some fun things, like going on vacation, having picnics in the park, or just enjoying a cozy movie night at home. We reconnect, laugh, and be silly together, making memories that we’ll cherish forever.

I also love reconnecting with friends during the summer. It’s like we pick up right where we left off, even if we haven’t seen each other in months. We spend some much needed time hanging out, doing some bargain shopping, and meeting for coffee. It’s a time to catch up on each other’s lives and make new memories together. Summer is such a special time to take a break from school life and spend quality time with those we love, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

4.  Partake in a Hobby

I’ll be the first to admit that finding a hobby is tough for me – really tough. Why? Well, I’ve always considered teaching my hobby because I love it so much. But for our de-stressing summer, that just won’t count (and it breaks rule #2). When I have to think about a hobby, I just draw a blank.

There was a period of time when life was so busy that I didn’t have time for a hobby. So in recent years, I’ve made it a priority to carve out time for myself to find a hobby, do something I enjoy, or learn something new.

Nowadays, you’re likely to find me behind my camera lens. I started taking pictures to preserve memories, but I’ve discovered that I really, really enjoy it. It’s incredibly relaxing, and I love capturing the beauty of God’s creation from different perspectives. I’ve even found myself with the camera to my eye, chasing a butterfly through a field without realizing it. Yep, it’s happened multiple times! Whatever it is you enjoy, make time for it.

Don’t have a hobby? Here are some ideas to get you started: reading, writing, journaling, music, learning a new instrument, scrapbooking, hiking, running, antiquing, thrift store shopping, singing, learning a foreign language, gardening, birdwatching… the list goes on! Find something you love doing and make a little time this summer to do it. Who knows, maybe these suggestions will inspire you to try something new!

5.   Get Away From Teacher Stress

Sometimes, getting away from home, where all the responsibilities and duties remain, is just what you need to end teacher stress. Whether it’s finding a cozy bed and breakfast in a quiet town or immersing yourself in the bustle of the city, a change of scenery can work wonders for the soul. There’s no better time than the present to start crossing some of these dream destinations off your bucket list!

For those feeling particularly adventurous, why not let the folks at Pack Up & Go plan your trip for you? It’s a surprise travel agency where you set the parameters on cost, duration, and preferences, and they take care of the rest. While I haven’t personally used their services, it sounds like quite a thrilling adventure!

Even if you’re not quite ready to pack up and leave town, a staycation can be just as enjoyable. Take a few days to be a tourist in your own hometown! The goal is to step away from the daily chores and to-do lists and simply enjoy some well-deserved relaxation. Just a couple of days away from it all can make you feel like a whole new person! Whether you choose to travel afar or stay close to home, I hope you’ll find the time to do at least one, if not all, of these rejuvenating activities. My greatest wish for you is to have an amazing, stress-free summer filled with unforgettable experiences and moments of bliss!

Get Ready to End Teacher Stress

Remember, the goal is to prioritize self-care and embrace the opportunity to recharge and rejuvenate. As you bid farewell to the stresses of the school year, may you find peace, relaxation, and joy in the summer ahead. Here’s to an amazing, stress-free summer filled with unforgettable experiences and moments of bliss!

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