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Jun 2025
36m 11s

Teacher Burnout Recovery: 4 Essential St...

Grace Stevens
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🌞 4 Essential Strategies for Teacher Summer Recovery & Burnout Prevention

Episode Summary

You made it through another school year! 🎉 But summer break doesn't automatically fix teacher burnout. Host Grace Stevens shares 4 proven strategies to help teachers truly disconnect, recover, and prepare for renewal during summer break.

🔑 Key Takeaways

Strategy #1: Create a Closing Ritual ✅

  • Stop, Start, Continue Reflection (30 minutes) 
    • 🛑 STOP: What drained your energy without results?
    • ➡️ START: New approaches you want to try
    • CONTINUE: What worked well this year
  • Set an "August Problem" date - no school thoughts until then!
  • Embrace the clean slate opportunity teachers have each year

Strategy #2: Complete the Stress Cycle 🧘‍♀️

Teaching = constant assault on your nervous system. Your body needs intentional recovery:

  • 💤 Sleep without alarms
  • 💧 Hydrate properly (no more classroom dehydration!)
  • 🚶‍♀️ Move your body (walking, stretching, yoga)
  • 🎨 Create (quilting, painting, writing)
  • 👥 Socialize with non-teacher friends

Strategy #3: Triage Your Summer To-Do List 📝

Your list is too long (we know it is!). Apply medical triage principles:

  • 🚨 Must Do: Critical & time-sensitive only
  • 💭 Nice to Do: Not urgent
  • 🤝 Delegate: Stop doing everything yourself
  • Eliminate: Some things don't need doing

Pro Tip: Listen to Episode 50 for setting boundaries with family who think you're "free all summer"

Strategy #4: Rebuild Your Identity Outside Teaching 🌱

Remember who you are beyond the classroom:

  • List 5 things you love doing (non-teaching related)
  • Challenge: List 5 things you love about yourself (not related to serving others)
  • Reconnect with neglected hobbies and interests
  • Read books that aren't about education!

Key takeaway: Remember: August is coming whether you worry about it or not - you might as well enjoy your summer! 🌞

#TeacherBurnout #SummerRecovery #TeacherWellness #EducatorSelfCare #TeacherLife

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life?
Check out my signature on-demand self-study course, Balance Your Teacher Life. Complete details here: www.gracestevens.com/balance


📘 My latest (and greatest!) book:
The Empowered Teacher Toolkit
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

My TPT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/grace-stevens-happy-classrooms

Wanna get social?
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Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

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