Embrace Self-Care This Summer:
A Teacher’s Guide to Wellness and Therapy

As the school year wraps up and summer is upon us, you, as a teacher, may find yourself in need of self-care and rejuvenation.  After the past several months of you pouring so much of yourself into the lives of your students, it is imperative that you prioritize your own well-being.  Take this time to recharge and self-reflect.  It is difficult to wear so many hats while shaping the lives of many students if you are not also pouring back into yourself.  This summer may be the right time to consider incorporating therapy as a means of self-care, to prepare for the upcoming school year.  

Reflect on the Past Year

Take time to look back on the past year’s successes and areas of growth, both personally and professionally. Identifying what worked well and what could be improved upon can help you prepare for the upcoming school year.  This process can provide insight into your strengths and areas for development.

Prioritize Self-Care

Summer break is a great time to focus on self-care and finding positive ways to relax.  Engage in activities that bring joy, whether that is enjoying nature, pursuing hobbies, or streaming your favorite show.  It is easy to overlook self-care during summer while catching up on tasks left undone during the hectic school year.  Some may take on part-time work to fill financial gaps, regardless, be sure to place yourself on your priority list.

Seek Support Through Therapy

Therapy or counseling is a great option to help you begin to develop healthy coping skills and develop a consistent self-care regimen.  Therapy is a safe, supportive space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.  This is helpful whether you are experiencing burnout, stress, or personal concerns, therapy can help you gain the clarity you need and build resilience.  

Address Burnout and Stress

As you know, teaching can be a very mentally, emotionally, and even physically demanding career, which often results in educators experiencing burnout and stress.  By the end of the school year, you or your fellow educators may feel so overwhelmed that you find yourself questioning your career choice. Therapy can be a great added tool in your toolbox to help develop techniques and manage stress more effectively to help prevent burnout.  Proactively addressing burnout and stress, can help you maintain your passion for teaching and decrease your feelings of overwhelm.   

Set Goals for the Upcoming School Year

Summer break is a great opportunity to set goals for the upcoming school year.  Sometimes the summer means learning new county curriculum materials, sometimes it may be preparing to switch grade levels, adjusting to new roles within your team, change in schools, new administrative changes and so on.  Use this time to reflect on how you plan to adjust to all of the many new changes ahead and to set goals for the coming year.   Setting goals before the start of the year can be helpful so that you are able to remain focused and motivated. 

As you set out to enjoy your summer break, don’t forget to prioritize your well-being. Therapy can be a useful addition to your self-care routine, helping you develop goals and plan for the upcoming school year.  Being proactive during the summer months to re-energize and self-reflect may be the best gift you can give yourself. Consider contacting us at Carolina Counseling Services, Fayetteville, NC, for the help and guidance of a competent counselor.  Give us a call today; we can help.

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