Back to School Self-Care: 10 Things Teachers Can Do To Get Ready

We might be in denial, but... it's August. Most school districts in my area start in less than two weeks. There are many blog posts and articles discussing teachers getting their classrooms ready, preparing curriculum and name cards, Pinterest-perfecting things, etc. But, teachers have personal lives too, despite what our students may think. Here are 10 things I find helpful in getting my personal life ready for back-to-school:

1. Meal Prep:
After a staff meeting, planning curriculum, grading papers, making phone calls to parents, etc. it's nice to come home and be able to have a meal ready to go. I even like to bring a mini-slow cooker to school and have home cooked meals for lunch. There are lots of ideas for freezer meals online and even ideas to work with some friends and exchange meals to add to the variety!


2.  Sick Care Package

Acclimating to an environment full of germs and hundreds of kids always takes a toll on my immune system, no matter how much hand sanitizer I have. When I'm stuffed-up with a headache and sore throat, I don't often feel like running to the store on the way home. It's good to have some things on-hand and ready for those inevitable days.


Things I like to have on hand:

- Homemade chicken soup in the freezer (or cans in the pantry)
- Cold medicine (both day and night-time variety)
- Zinc supplements to help stop the cold in its path
- Airborne or vitamin C tablets
- Bottles of juice
- Nasal spray / Vick's vapor-rub  
- Extra tissue boxes
- Tea
- Cough drops
- Pain reliever

3. Postage Stamps

It's nice that you can buy postage stamps at stores like Kroger and Wal-Mart, but I always seem to forget, and sometimes they charge extra. While you're still home during Post-Office operating hours, stack up on postage stamps so you won't be out when you need them!


4. Spring  Summer Cleaning

Before all of your energy goes towards school, take the time to deep-clean the house. Organize closets and drawers, and make it shine. It makes me feel more relaxed to have a clean house, and it will never look this good again until the next holiday.

5. Stock-Up

It's not a bad idea to stock up on items that you use every day. Hair care/toiletries are things that you don't want to run out of and have to make a trip out for during a busy week. Having some extras on hand will buy some time until the next planned grocery-shopping trip and take away from unnecessary stress.

6. Make a Plan for Self-Care Now

You can't stick to a plan if you don't have one. My co-worker has a great plan to commit to a time of day that she will leave school and go home each day. She is looking ahead and scheduling into her phone the yoga and Zumba classes she wants to do after school. Whatever this looks like for you - carve out some time to eliminate burn-out.

7. Enjoy Time with Friends

It's not every day that we can meet up for a cup of coffee at 2:00 p.m. Soak in the moment before it's gone!




8. Make Doctor's Appointments 

I hate spending my weekends at doctor's offices during the school year. Take advantage of the summer break to get routine visits in!

9. Stock Up on Cards

I like to have blank note cards, thank-you cards, and birthday cards stocked up in my school desk and at home. There have often been times where I want to send a co-worker a note of encouragement or give a birthday card to a student and had to use an index card instead. It can be a good idea to put reminders in your phone for friends and family birthdays you want to get in the mail. Michael's usually has good card sets in their cheap bins before check-out.

10. Revel in the Moment

Stay up past your bed-time, sleep in, lounge around and binge-watch a show. Make waffles for breakfast. Do an art project. Drink Starbucks while strolling lazily through Target.



Any other ideas you have from experience? What is the best use of the last days of summer for other teachers?