By us at Southern Schoolhouse
Teaching is more than a job, it’s a calling that demands deep emotional, mental, and physical energy. From managing student needs, lesson planning, adapting to curriculum changes to leading classrooms and facilitating meetings, educators give so much of themselves all year long. That’s why self-care is essential.
Why Self-Care is important for Educators
When teachers consistently put others first, burnout can sneak in quickly.
Self-care helps:
- Replenish mental and emotional reserves
- Spark creativity and energy in planning for the next school year
- Prevent burnout and compassion fatigue
- Model healthy balance for students and colleagues
Summer break offers a precious window for rest, reflection, and renewal. And while self-care can look different for everyone, the key is doing what truly nurtures your well-being.
What Summer Self-Care Looks Like for Us
As teachers, we’ve learned that taking care of ourselves during the summer is what allows us to show up fully present and energized when school starts again. Here’s how each of us embraces self-care in our own way:
Beth finds peace in the pages of a good book and recharges with trips to the beach. You can often find her digging in the garden or laughing with her grandchildren. She also treats herself to an occasional pedicure, one of her favorite ways to relax and feel pampered. Her summer is a blend of quiet moments, sunshine, and family time.
Joy’s summer self-care is all about calm routines and meaningful projects. She starts each day with morning coffee and daily devotions, setting a peaceful tone. She finds joy in gardening, cooking, and canning vegetables from her garden. Joy also dives into DIY projects, often cleaning out and organizing spaces as a way of mentally resetting. Her afternoons include walks with her husband and the occasional nap. Her summer break is intentional and restorative.
Shannon finds joy in the simple routines of summer. Each morning begins with coffee on the porch with her mom, who lives just across the street, as they watch hummingbirds and other birds flutter by. She loves soaking up the sun by the pool while listening to music and winding down the day with relaxing golf cart rides through the country roads. A fresh nail treatment here and there adds a little extra sparkle to her slower days.
Final Thoughts
There’s no one best approach to self-care. Whether it’s reading in the garden, cleaning out a closet, or sipping coffee while birdwatching, the key is doing what fills you up.
Some of us teachers are working summer jobs, attending professional development, or preparing classrooms for the fall and that’s okay, too. Self-care doesn’t always mean stepping away completely; sometimes it’s about finding moments of peace and joy in the midst of a busy season.
So this summer, prioritize rest in whatever way you can. Give yourselves permission to pause, reset, and rediscover joy, so you can return in the fall not just ready to teach, but ready to thrive.
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