How to take care of your mental health over the summer holidays

Teachers across the country are approaching the end of another busy and demanding school year, with the summer holidays offering a well-earned opportunity to rest and recharge. While the six-week break is often discussed, what people don’t always see is the hard work, dedication, and long hours teaching requires throughout the year.

For many teachers, the summer holidays provide valuable time to switch off, spend time with family and friends, and return to the classroom in September refreshed and ready for a new school year.

Teachers’ wellbeing can be affected by many factors, including an inability to switch off from work, concerns around exam results and student performance, financial pressures, loneliness, and the amount of preparation needed for the next academic year. For many, the expectation to continue working during the holidays can also make it difficult to properly rest and recharge.

We’ve created this blog to share practical wellbeing tips and advice to help teachers switch off over the holidays.

Making time to switch off

One of the most important things teachers can do during the holidays is allow themselves a proper break from work. Setting boundaries around emails, lesson planning, and paperwork can help create time to truly rest and recharge.

It can also help to remind yourself that taking a break is not something to feel guilty about. Your school, colleagues, and students all benefit from having a happy, healthy, and well-rested teacher returning in September.

Managing feelings of loneliness

The summer holidays can sometimes feel isolating for teachers, particularly after months of being surrounded by colleagues and pupils every day. As routines change, it’s not unusual for feelings of loneliness or disconnection to appear during the break.

Maintaining social connections can play an important role in supporting teacher wellbeing. Spending time with friends and family, joining social activities, or staying in touch with colleagues can help create a sense of balance and connection throughout the summer.

 Coping with financial pressures

Financial worries can also have an impact on teacher wellbeing, particularly during the summer holidays when routines and income patterns may feel less predictable for some. Concerns about budgeting, rising living costs, or preparing for the new school year can add additional stress during what should be a restorative break.

Taking time to plan ahead, set a simple budget, and make use of support where needed can help reduce pressure. Even small steps can make it easier to feel more in control and able to focus on rest and recovery over the summer.

Some of the top ways to make money over the holidays:

• Temping
• Tutoring
• Summer camp work
• Exam marking
• Clearing out and selling old clothes

Limited flexibility over holidays

A lack of flexibility over annual leave can affect teacher wellbeing and work-life balance. Unlike many other roles, teachers have limited choice over when they take time off, with holidays fixed around the school term calendar. This can sometimes reduce feelings of autonomy and contribute to stress around workload and recovery time.

Returning to school after the summer break can also feel abrupt, making it important to plan a gradual transition where possible. Easing back into routine can help reduce pressure and support teacher wellbeing at the start of the new school year.

Where possible, leaving detailed preparation until later in the holiday period can also help. This allows time to fully switch off first, before returning to planning, organisation, and classroom preparation in a more structured and manageable way.

Support for teacher wellbeing over the summer

At Engage, we understand the importance of rest and recovery over the summer holidays, which is why we’ve put together this blog to share practical ideas to support teacher wellbeing during the break. From switching off and managing workload to staying connected and looking after financial and emotional wellbeing, these small steps can make a real difference.

We also work in partnership with organisations such as Education Support and Creative Education, helping to provide additional wellbeing resources and opportunities for continued professional learning. This means teachers can choose to engage in development at a pace that suits them, balancing growth with the time needed to properly relax and recharge.

To register with Engage Education, click here!