10 Ways Teachers Can Recharge Over the Summer
Summer is finally here, and you know what that means! Summer is a great time to relax and get away from the stress of teaching, grading papers, and dealing with rowdy kids. From self-care routines to discovering new locations, here are 10 amazing ways teachers can unwind and de-stress over the summer.
1. Reflect
For some, transitioning into summer when you have no set schedule or tasks can be challenging. During the break, it can be difficult to fill the void of teaching or constantly working. Reflecting on the past school year is a great way to slow down your teaching gears and smoothly transition into a relaxing summer.
When reflecting, think of 3 issues you encountered in your classroom and ways that you can solve those problems. Identify different methods to improve your class and teaching experience. This is also the perfect time to plan lessons and make any changes to your curriculum. Once you tackle your classroom problems, take your mind off work so that you can relax and enjoy the rest of your summer, guilt-free!
2. Set goals for yourself
To combat the inherent, unstructured nature of summer, set a few goals for yourself in order to have a fulfilling experience. For example, you can aim to try something new, like wood carving, eating foreign cuisine, or going paintballing with friends . You can even tap into your creative side and start a new hobby, or try activities that you never got around to doing.
Make sure to pick a manageable number of activities to devote your time and energy to. It’s impossible to do everything over the summer, so don’t spread yourself too thin!
3. Develop healthy habits
A break from work is a great time to make beneficial choices and lead a healthy lifestyle. Developing healthy habits can even be one of the goals you set for yourself over the summer. Try cooking nutritious and nourishing meals, create a schedule for exercise, or do yoga and meditate.
Making healthy choices improves the mind and body and makes you an effective and happier teacher. Remember, your students need you to be mentally, physically, and emotionally strong!
4. Get lost in a book
Everyone knows that students can experience summer slide or summer learning loss when school isn’t in session, but even teachers can experience summer slide at times!
Reading books keeps your mind sharp and active during the summer, and helps you mentally prepare for the upcoming school year. Summer break is the perfect time to read books for pleasure or read anything that you’ve always wanted to read, but never had the time to. Now’s your chance to spend time with that book that’s been sitting in your Amazon shopping cart. Here are 28 of the Best Beach Reads of 2019.
5. Catch up on your favorite shows
What’s not to love about a classic Netflix binge? Catch up on your favorite shows that you’ve missed out on during the school year. It’s guilt-free this time!
Click here for upcoming 2019 summer shows!
6. Travel
Traveling to new places and seeing new sights can be refreshing for many. A change of scenery gives you the experience of being a tourist in unknown surroundings and provides a thrilling and exciting feeling that disrupts the monotony of everyday life. Additionally, separating yourself from the world of stress and work is an excellent opportunity to get to know yourself better and try new things.
For those who feel that travelling is outside their budget, a staycation is also an amazing way to relax and recharge. Go to your local zoo, go bowling, visit a national park—the possibilities are endless! Here are 25 Awesome Staycation Ideas.
7. Immerse yourself in nature
Similar to traveling, being in tune with nature is an incredibly refreshing experience. Studies have shown that going outside and connecting with nature can reduce hypertension, lower the risk of diseases, and improve mental health.
Activities like hiking and camping provide an opportunity to take a break from technology and isolate yourself from the world of stress. They can also be a great time to truly connect with friends, family, and loved ones.
Want to know some nature hacks for your next camping trip? Click here.
8. Volunteer
If you’re itching to do something over the summer to fill the void of the school year, then volunteering is an excellent option. Volunteering is a great way to connect with the community and work with organizations to help those in need. It’s a fun and self-fulfilling experience that leaves you with the sense of feeling accomplished!
9. Reconnect with friends and family
Summer is the perfect time to catch up with friends, especially those that live far away, and hang out with family. You don’t have to spend large amounts of money to have fun with your friends and family. Create lasting memories with your loved ones by going on trips to local attractions and even doing simple bonding activities.
10. Prepare for the upcoming school year
As the new school year approaches, it’s a good idea to prepare yourself for what’s to come. Gently ease into the school year by buying supplies, organizing your papers, and setting schedules for an easy start to the year. This is also the time to reorient yourself and plan for the worst. Make a plan for how to deal with problems you may encounter, such as intense stress. That way, you’ll be prepared to tackle any problems when the time comes.
No matter what you do over the summer, it’s important to come back into the school year feeling recharged and ready to start the year off right!
