Zen & the Art of Teacher Maintenance: 8 Ways to Recharge and Still Grow This Summer

Rest & Level Up Like a Pro

Let’s be honest: educators give so much during the school year that their own wellbeing often takes a back seat. You support students, manage behaviors, run meetings, answer emails at 9 pm—and somehow you still show up the next day with a smile.

But here’s the truth: you matter, too. And summer is the perfect time to realign your life with that fact.

This is your invitation to slow down, breathe deep, and use these summer months to invest in your health, mindset, and joy—not just for yourself, but because it makes you a stronger, more sustainable educator.

    1. Redefine “Professional Learning” as Personal Growth

Before diving into strategies and habits, take a moment to redefine what professional development means. It’s not just learning new tech tools or classroom strategies—it’s learning how to care for yourself so you can keep doing what you love.

 Ask yourself:

• What do I need more of this summer—sleep, movement, laughter, stillness?
• What’s been draining me? What do I want to let go of?
• What would “whole-person growth” look like?

Write it down. This is your wellness mission statement for the summer.

    2. Create a Simple Summer Rhythm (Not a Schedule)

You don’t need a jam-packed calendar to feel productive. Instead, build a rhythm that supports balance and presence:

• Morning: Stretch, hydrate, read something nourishing—even just 10 minutes.
• Midday: Time outdoors, a walk, lunch without screens.
• Evening: A wind-down routine—music, journaling, or just sitting on the porch.

No need to be rigid. Think of it like a playlist—customize it daily based on your mood, but try to hit the big notes: rest, move, eat, connect.

     3. Reignite Joy Through Movement

You don’t need to run a marathon (unless that’s your thing!). But our bodies crave movement—especially after months of hallway duty, desk sitting, and Zoom fatigue.

Try:

• Morning walks (bonus: listen to your favorite podcast!)
• Yoga on YouTube (Yoga with Adriene is a gentle, popular favorite)
• A fun group class—dance, Pilates, even pickleball!
• Gardening, biking, or swimming—whatever gets you breathing fresh air

Just 20 minutes a day can lift your energy, focus, and mood. Movement is medicine.

     4. Declutter Your Digital (and Physical) Space

Ever notice how a messy desktop—physical or digital—can quietly stress you out?

Use a few summer hours to declutter:

• Clean your inbox (or archive it all… shhh, we won’t tell)
• Organize your desktop folders
• Donate old classroom supplies or gear that no longer serves you

Lightening your load physically can help you feel lighter emotionally, too.

    5. Practice a Summer-Long Digital Detox (Even Just a Bit)

Social media is a double-edged sword—great for ideas but not always great for your mental health. Try setting boundaries like:

• No email before 9 am or after 7 pm
• One screen-free hour before bed
• One full unplugged day per week (Sundays are great!)

You’ll be amazed how much mental clarity returns when your attention isn’t constantly pulled in a dozen digital directions.

    6. Feed Your Brain—and Your Body—with Intention

You already know the basics: drink more water, eat more plants, avoid living off coffee alone. Summer is a great time to reset eating habits with love, not shame.

Try:

• One new healthy recipe a week
• A water bottle that makes you smile (hydration hack!)
• Breakfast on the patio for a moment of stillness

Remember, food is fuel—and you deserve to feel energized.

    7. Reconnect—with People and Purpose

Take time this summer to nurture the connections that matter:

• Reach out to an old friend
• Meet a colleague for a “non-school” lunch
• Spend uninterrupted time with family

And reconnect with yourself, too. Journal. Pray. Meditate. Sit quietly. Ask, “What makes me feel alive?” and follow that thread.

    8. Plan Your Re-Entry with Self-Compassion

 Before the school year begins again, map out how you’ll protect your wellbeing during the year:

• What will your work boundaries be?
• What small habit will you keep from summer?
• What will you say no to in order to say yes to your health?

Make a wellbeing vision board, write a letter to your “August self,” or set a phone reminder that says: “Breathe. You’ve got this.”

Final Word: You’re Not a Machine—You’re a Human Being

You don’t have to earn rest. You don’t have to fix everything this summer. You don’t need to be a better version of yourself. You just need to be yourself—well-rested, a little more joyful, and ready to return to school with a full cup.

When educators thrive, students do, too.

So here’s your summer permission slip: Rest deeply. Move joyfully. Nourish completely. And come back with your spark fully lit.

Tiny steps, big results! 🎉 Grab Small Wins, Big Health for fun, doable hacks that make healthy living way less complicated.

Resources

• Woman sitting on boardwalk image by Renan Brun from Pixabay.
• Sun image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay.