5 Strategies to Recharge this Summer!
June is the most wonderful time of the year for students and teachers. It is a chance to celebrate another year of growth and learning, with summer vacation just on the horizon.
For many teachers, the end of the school year marks a sprint to the finish line after a long and eventful marathon (with some obstacle courses along the way). Just making it to the end is celebration enough. Summer is a time for relaxation, so how can we ensure that we get the rest and recuperation we need before the next marathon?
If you are looking to fill your self-care toolkit so that you can invest in your wellness this summer, you have come to the right place! We have tips and resources for teacher well-being from our very own Edwin library.
1: Digital Detox
This has been a year like no other with transitions to and from online learning. Our eyeballs have had a lot more screen time than usual. There is no shortage of research on the effects of too much screen time. A good way to start the summer is with a digital detox! Although you are probably keen to catch up on the new shows and movies that you missed during the school year, we encourage you to dive into summer with a different kind of binge-watching—spend time in nature, smell the roses, watch the birds, and invest in some time with your loved ones IRL (*in real life). Check out our Digital Detox Collection for resources that you can use with your own family or take the Digital Detox Challenge to reboot your summer!
2: Celebrate Yourself
As educators, we care a LOT, and we carry that in so many different ways. Often, we leave the school year knowing that we did our best, but wishing that we could have somehow done more for each and every one of our students. Rather than getting caught up in intrusive doubts or “what ifs,” we invite you to reframe your narrative and focus on all the things that you have to celebrate at the end of the year. Meaning is what makes our roles as teachers fulfilling, and it’s important to remind ourselves of our many strengths and capabilities. We matter too! Check out our Third Path Collection that focuses on meaning and take time to reframe any narratives that are dwelling within you.
3: Invest in Relationships
Investing in the right things can bring riches beyond your wildest dreams! No, we are not talking about the stock market...we’re talking about relationships. Although belonging is something that we foster in our classrooms, we should also take the time to strengthen our social supports and relationships outside of the classroom to ensure our own sense of belonging. No matter how small or large, making relationship deposits can boost our well-being and ensure that we have natural supports to turn to when we need them the most. View our Third Path Collection on Belonging and learn about different types of relationship deposits that you can make (and ask for) this summer!
4. Master a New (or Neglected) Hobby or Skill
We are so focused on our students’ learning that we can forget to think about our own learning, particularly the learning that takes place outside of our roles as professionals. We can increase our confidence and manage stress better when we engage in hobbies and foster new interests outside of work. The summer is a great opportunity to revisit a hobby or a skill or to learn something new. Although we often think of learning as an outcome, remember that it’s more like a journey and each step has the power to move us in new and exciting ways. Maybe you still have a sourdough starter lurking in the back of your fridge, or you finally want to finish the blanket that you started knitting years ago. It’s never too late! Visit our Third Path Collection to learn more about the cycle of mastery!
5: Build or Refill Your Well-being Toolkit
Do you have any go-to strategies to help you keep your cool in stressful situations or manage your emotions before they get the best of you? If you’re like me, you probably have some tools that work really well, and others that are not as effective because they have been gathering metaphorical dust. Take some time this summer to take stock of the tools you use for your emotional well-being. Clear the clutter that is just taking up space, and learn some new strategies to sustain your sense of Zen long after the summer ends. Check out our Collections on emotional well-being activities and mindfulness and treat yourself to a shiny new toolkit for your well-being!