How teachers can make the most out of their Easter holiday
A refreshed and rested teacher is the best teacher pupils can have. This means switching off and doing things for yourself. Sounds pretty easy, but it can be quite tricky to get to grips with.
Throughout the year teachers are constantly taking work home for various reasons, such as planning, marking, report writing and creating lesson plans. So, when holidays come around, for many teachers this is just another name for ‘working from home’. As life gets busy and hectic it can be difficult to get into a holiday routine.
Having a two-week break for the Easter Holiday is a dream many wish for. We’ve put together some helpful and achievable tips to make sure you get the most out of your break and most importantly staying away from anything work related.
Create a bucket list of things to do
During term time you’ll probably think of hundreds of things to do, but as the holiday draws closer it’s easy to forget what they were. Start to make a list of your ‘must do’s, ‘wants’ and ‘would love to do’ as you remember them. This will help you to visually see how you can plan your break. Even, if you do not manage to complete everything you can save them for a later date.
Spend time with people who aren’t teachers
Having the luxury of two weeks off (or more), teachers should enjoy spending time with family and friends, completely switching off from school life. It’s not so easy to do this with fellow teachers because you tend to talk about common traits and a big part of that is the life of teaching. Spending time with those who you can have non-work-related conversations can help you to free your mind and focus on other things.
Some government restrictions are expected to be lifted just as the Easter holiday starts. From 29th March six people are allowed to meet outside either with one other household or within the "rule of six", and from 12th April restaurants and pubs are allowed will be allowed serve food to customers sitting outside. As we start to see better weather this is a perfect time to start planning how you can make the most of being outdoors.
Don’t forget, you can still continue to catch up and socialise over video technology. Try out a virtual escape room, a cocktail making party or benefit from an online pamper party; there are tonnes of online experiences you can do; you’ll be surprised how fun they can be!
Read a book for pleasure
Find an actual book like a novel that will take your mind into another world and completely take your mind off school. School pamphlets, leaflets, newspapers or local council information booklets and pamphlets are strictly off limits!
Travel
Whilst this is limited at the moment, remember you can go for walks or perhaps a bike ride and even a picnic as long as you stay within the government’s guidelines in your area. Take advantage of the good weather and get out there as much as possible.
Have a Netflix binge
This is truly a day of doing literally nothing. Lounging around in something cosy in front of the TV and just letting your mind and body relax and completely switch off. Don’t forget the popcorn, chocolate and ice-cream!
Exercise
If you’re already doing this, then great, keep it up and perhaps take it up a notch during your break. However, if you’re not the exercising type or just don’t know where to start this can be a really hard one to get into especially. Use this time to explore and work out what you enjoy doing. There are hundreds of workout videos on YouTube or if you prefer going to the gym, when they reopen visit a few to see which one suits you.
Even after a spot of (light) exercise can help you feel rejuvenated after a stressful day.
Sleep
Holidays are the perfect time to switch off the alarm and catch up on some good sleep. Wake up naturally and refreshed, as opposed to forcefully and drowsy during term time.
Do not go into school
This is the one thing you should not do. The whole idea of having a holiday is a break from your work place. Paperwork can wait until you return, but doing the things that are building up in your personal life can’t wait. Doing these things will make you feel better in body and mind and, have the opposite effect by being more productive when you return to work.
However, planning ahead and prepping comes part of being a teacher and the thought of it can be overwhelming and add more stress. If it makes you feel better, at the start of your holiday spend a day or two (max) getting it out the way, and then forget about it.
