Teacher Wellness Over Summer Break: What’s Actually Helping Me Recharge
This Post is All About Realistic Teacher Self-Care & Burnout Recovery Ideas
This summer, I’m prioritizing teacher self-care—not in a fluffy, one-size-fits-all kind of way, but in a way that truly helps me recover and reset. If you’re a teacher looking for realistic, honest ways to feel like yourself again over the break, here’s what’s actually working for me.
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After a long and emotionally draining school year, I’m finally giving myself permission to rest. Like so many educators, I ended the year feeling physically exhausted and mentally scattered. Teacher burnout is real, and one of the best ways to beat it is by using summer break as an opportunity to finally pause, reflect, and indulge in ourselves.
How I’m Recharging This Summer After a Tough Teaching Year
1. Slow Mornings Are My Favorite Kind of Teacher Wellness
One of the most healing changes I’ve made is protecting one “do-nothing” morning a week. I don’t check my email, and don’t rush to be productive. Instead, I make a slow cup of coffee, sit outside (even if it’s just for 10 minutes), and let myself be. Even if it means waking up before the kids, I do it. Trust me - it’s worth it!
I’ve been using this ceramic coffee mug that just brings me so much joy. What is it about drinking your hot coffee out of a beautiful mug? It feels like a small luxury and helps me savor that peaceful moment.
If you’re searching for a way to start your teacher summer self-care routine, I highly recommend carving out space for stillness.
2. Gentle Movement Is Helping Me Reconnect With My Body
Instead of jumping into a structured workout plan, I’m focusing on gentle movement that feels good: walking the dog, stretching in the morning, dancing in the kitchen with my kids, or doing yoga in my bedroom.
I keep my yoga mat unrolled in the corner so it’s easy to drop into a few stretches whenever I need to reset. It’s not about achieving anything—just reconnecting with my body after months of feeling disconnected and run down.
If you’ve been looking for ways to improve your teacher mental health this summer, movement without pressure can be a powerful start.
3. I’m Exploring Joy Outside the Classroom
As much as I love teaching, summer reminds me that I’m also a person outside of being a teacher. I’m leaning into passions that don’t involve school: working on my blog, planting in the garden, spending time with my kids, and reading books that are just for fun.
Right now I’m loving this beach read—the kind of book that pulls you in and makes the real world disappear for a little while. That escape has become a part of my teacher summer reset routine.
4. Prioritizing Friendships and Girl Time
During the school year, it can feel nearly impossible to maintain friendships. We're all running in different directions, grading papers, attending meetings, and managing life. But this summer, I’ve made it a goal to reconnect with my people.
Whether it’s a beach day, a quick coffee, or a long catch-up phone call, I’m filling my social cup with real conversations and laughter. This isn’t just social time—it’s soul time. Prioritizing friendship is one of the most overlooked but essential forms of teacher wellness.
5. Spending Time in Places That Feel Like Home
For me, that place is Cape Cod. There’s something about the ocean breeze, seafood shacks, and quiet beach mornings that helps me feel grounded again. Maybe for you it’s a cabin in the woods, your parents’ backyard, or a quiet trail near your house.
Wherever it is, go there. Let yourself rest in a place that restores you. You don’t have to travel far or spend a fortune to feel like yourself again. Just find the places that breathe life back into you and stay there as often as you can this summer.
This kind of intentional time in familiar, peaceful spaces is one of the most underrated ways to recover from teacher burnout.
6. Saying “No” Without Guilt Is Self-Care, Too
A big part of my teacher wellness journey this summer has been learning to say no—without guilt and without explanation. I’m not available for every outing, every favor, or every summer project. And that’s okay.
Protecting your time and energy is one of the best ways to recover from teacher burnout. Boundaries aren’t just healthy—they’re healing.
7. I’m Gearing Up for Fall... Slowly and Gently
Yes, I’ve peeked at my planner. I’ve started brainstorming a few classroom ideas. But I’m not rushing. I’m approaching it like a soft re-entry instead of diving headfirst into back-to-school prep.
I keep a pretty notebook nearby where I jot down ideas when they come—but I don’t force them. The goal is to reset after a stressful school year, not race into the next one.
If You’re Feeling Burned Out Too... You’re Not Alone
There’s so much pressure on teachers to be productive—even during summer break. But you are allowed to rest. You are allowed to be unproductive. And you are absolutely allowed to put yourself first right now.
Whether your version of self-care looks like a long nap, a beach day, journaling, or just doing less, it matters. You matter.
This is your season to breathe again.
What’s helping you recharge this summer? I’d love to hear in the comments.
🧡
Alexa
