How to make the most of your summer holiday
As the end of the school year is now upon us, and whilst it is the perfect opportunity for teachers and support staff to step back and switch off, however, it can be overwhelming navigating a more laid-back environment and less rigid timetable during the summer holiday.
Whether it’s the end of your first year working in education, or you’re a highly experienced educator, our top tips below will help you make the most of your summer holidays and feel refreshed and ready for September.
- Take some time to practice self-care – Taking some time to look after your mental and physical health is crucial for recharging throughout the summer holidays. Set aside some time each day to do something purely for your benefit – it can be something physical such as yoga or something more mindful such as meditation. Building these habits now can also make it easier to find some time when we’re back at school and you need it most.
- Dive into a hobby or new activity – We all have hobbies, whether it is something skill-based like playing a musical instrument, or something more relaxed like reading, and with six weeks with no working hours to adhere to you have the perfect opportunity to pick up a new hobby or rediscover a passion you’ve not engaged with recently.
- Spend some more time outdoors and reconnect with nature – We might not have had any glorious summer weather yet, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting outside and taking in the positive impacts of spending time in nature. Connecting with nature has been shown to improve mood and physical health, reduce stress and anger, and increase relaxation and confidence.
- Explore your local area – The educational calendar does not always allow us as much time as we would like to experience our local area and all it has to offer. Take some time to visit your local museums and galleries or get out in nature at your local park or National Trust property. These can also be a cost-effective way of experiencing culture without having to travel to one of the major national attractions.
- Travel – Getting away from home for a few days and putting yourself in a new environment is a great way to leave your stress behind and recharge your batteries. If the budget stretches to a trip abroad then taking in some summer sunshine will do wonders for your mental health, but even staying closer to home and experiencing different parts of the UK will still bring you benefits and an escape from the everyday.
- Take the pressure off and just ‘do nothing’ – There is nothing to say you have to fill your summer holidays with activities and travel. Sometimes it can be just what you need to stay at home and ‘do nothing’. You can catch up on that must-watch TV series you’ve been hearing about, or dive into that book you’ve been meaning to read for a while.
By incorporating some of these routines into your day-to-day schedule during the summer holiday, you can make the most of your break while also taking care of yourself at the same time. Enjoy the summer holidays and we’ll be here if you need us!