How To Relax This Summer

Congratulations! You did it! You finished another school year. Maybe it was the hardest year of your life, or maybe you had the best class ever, either way, another school year has come to a close. This means it’s summer!!! It’s one of the perks of being a teacher right? Summers off!! Yes…and…

Many times summer flies by and you are walking back into your classroom feeling like you never left. Don’t let that happen to you! Here are three reminders for you to get the most out of your summer, and make sure you are ready to bring the happy back into your classroom in the fall:

1) Be Intentional With Your Time

If you want to spend the day binge watching TV, do it! But be intentional that that is what you are doing – you are guiltlessly relaxing! Being intentional is just making sure you are in charge of your time. Each morning, take a few moments to really think about your day. How do you want to feel today? What needs to get accomplished? How might that look? Can you incorporate some of how you wanted to feel into your day? For example, if you want to feel pampered, can you find 15 minutes to pamper your toes and give yourself a pedicure? Or if you wanted to feel rested, can you schedule a short nap or time for a bath? You have the power to be in control of your summer!

2) Slow Down

Summer goes fast enough. If you don’t slow down, before you know it you are back in your classroom looking at a new class. Slowing down is a simple concept. It could mean stopping and noticing. Make sure you are taking the time to notice the smile on your child’s face as she splashes in the pool and waves at you. Or the way the birds chirp or how ice cracks in your drink while you are outside reading. Slow down and make every moment count!

3) Relax To Rejuvenate

Take this time to relax and do something for you. Heck, do many things for you! You have been taking care of students all year, it’s time to take care of you! Make sure you relax your brain and relax your body so you can feel rejuvenated for the fall. Teachers have two months out of the classroom for a reason – use them! Even if you are teaching summer school or taking summer classes, you need to give your brain and body a break and recharge for the fall. Take time for you!

You work really hard, and you deserve to enjoy this time for you. If you follow these three tips, you will feel ready to go back and tackle the world. But that isn’t your job just yet. Your job is to relax and enjoy your July!