Mid-Summer Teacher Self-Care Tips to Recharge Before Back to School
Dear Teacher Friend,
We’re officially at that weird spot in the summer where:
You still haven’t found your pool bag,
You finally stopped dreaming about copy machines,
…and yet, you kinda sorta want to open your laptop and plan a math station or two.😅
Listen, I get it. The teacher brain never really turns off — but today I just want to tell you this:
You are allowed to rest.
You are allowed to do nothing educational.
You are allowed to sleep in, sit still, and just be for a while.
Summer is not a productivity contest. It’s your reset button.
☀️Mid-Summer Check-In: How Are You Doing?
Take a moment and ask yourself:
Am I still feeling tired in the mornings?
Have I done anything for me lately — not just for my classroom?
Do I feel like I need a little joy injection?
If the answer to any of those was “uhhh... yes,” then let’s fix it. Below are some simple, realistic self-care ideas for the teacher who wants to recharge — without needing a spa day or a flight to Greece.
✅Realistic Teacher Self-Care Ideas (That Actually Work)
1. Pick a “do-nothing” day.
No cleaning. No laundry. No lesson plans. No guilt. Just couch, snacks, maybe a book that’s not about education.
2. Reconnect with something that makes you laugh.
Rewatch that show you love. Call your funniest friend. Follow more golden retrievers on Instagram. You need joy, not just rest.
3. Move your body (but not in a punishment-y way).
This isn’t “go work out.” It’s “put on music and dance like nobody’s watching.” Or walk in nature. Or stretch in your PJs. Whatever feels good, go with that.
4. Make one small healthy-ish switch.
Drink one more glass of water today. Swap one iced coffee for actual food (I know... I know...). This isn’t about a glow-up. It’s about refueling your teacher engine.
5. Set a boundary — yes, even in summer.
Maybe that means not checking school email until August. Maybe it’s saying no to things that drain you. Maybe it’s not opening that Pinterest board labeled “Back-to-School Anxiety.” 😬
💛Final Thoughts (From One Tired, Happy Teacher to Another)
You are not behind.
You do not have to earn your rest.
You do not need to prep, plan, or perform your way through August.
Take a deep breath. Stretch your legs. Refill your drink. And remind yourself that your classroom will be lucky to have you — after you’ve taken the time to fill your own cup.
You're halfway through summer. Let the second half be slow, kind, and full of whatever you need to feel like you again.
Thrive in Upper Elementary :)
