4 Ways to Maximize Rest this Summer
As we are heading towards our summer break, all teachers need REST. If your personal life is busy at all, you will need to be intentional about carving out time for that rest. Today, I have four tips for you on how to maximize rest this summer.
Make a Summer Must-Do List
Making a to-do list of any kind may not sound very restful, but I promise that it helps! Start by making a list of things you know you have to do this summer. Be mindful of what you can realistically fit into an 8-week span. Don’t overcrowd your list, but things like doctor’s appointments, home projects, vacations, etc. can definitely be written down! Then, once you know exactly what has to be done before summer is over, write it down on a calendar. This will help you clearly see how many days you have “off” throughout the summer. And, you can breathe easy through the summer knowing that all of the things that need to get done are accounted for.
Condense your Classroom Work Time
I’m of the opinion that the more consecutive weeks you can take off of school work, the more refreshed you will feel. It’s not always possible to take the entire summer off of school, and I’m not necessarily advocating that anyone do that. I believe that it’s a far more efficient use of your time to set your classroom up in the peace and silence of a PD-free week during summer. But, what I really don’t recommend if you’re trying to maximize your rest this summer, is that you go up to your classroom more than you have to.
The ticket to true rest is to not just physically stay away from your classroom, though. It is to mentally take time off, too. So, if working ahead early in the summer helps you let go of school for six straight weeks, do it. If taking six straight weeks off helps you unwind and feel ready to come back and work, do it. Condense that time (and write down when you’ll do it!) so you can mentally let go of the stress for weeks.
Relax
This sounds fairly obvious, huh? Of course, teachers should relax over the summer. But relaxing does not happen naturally. Just because you aren’t teaching for 2 months does not mean you will be sitting with your feet up, does it? If you’re like me, you have kids at home. Or maybe you have a sick parent, a tough financial situation that requires you get a second job, or any other number of tough situations.
Relaxation has to be planned for. It feels counterintuitive. But, if you do not actively plan to do something that reenergizes you regularly this summer, it likely won’t happen. To achieve true relaxation, you need to be engaged in something that takes your mind off of your stress. This may be something that engages your brain (reading, coffee date with a friend, movie date, etc.). Or, you may need to also engage your body (pool day, yoga class, spa day, etc.) Whatever helps you unplug and unwind, make time for it to help you truly rest this summer!
Create a Routine to Meet Goals
Summer doesn’t feel like a great time to set goals or create routines. But, I want to urge you to pause and think about who you could be at the end of your summer break. When you visualize future you, who do you want to see? A teacher who limps into the first week of school, feeling like she/he barely got a break? Or, do you want to feel rejuvenated and ready for a new year?
Feeling totally ready for a new year feels like an insurmountable goal these days. But, it’s possible to make great strides in that direction this summer. On top of the relaxation and mental break from school…work on something you want to better in your own life. Choose a small goal for the summer, and create an easy routine that works it in.
This may be that you want to read more. Or, maybe you want to walk each day. Maybe it’s something more ambitious…but it doesn’t have to be. Think about how you feel when you do something that you know is good for you? How do you feel when you get that workout in, or drink enough water? It boosts your self-esteem, your self-talk, and your willingness to do something else that’s good for you. Start small this summer, and establish a daily habit that you can take into the school year with you. THAT will make you feel recharged, and like the kind of person who has the tools to tackle another year.
Listen to the Podcast
Check out the full episode on this topic on The Simple Classroom Podcast! Be sure to subscribe to the show to hear every future episode!