Spring Break - Using This Time To Fill Your Bucket

Woo hoo - it’s Spring Break!

I have always felt spring break is one of the hardest breaks to get to - January and February just drag. By the time spring break comes around, I am more than ready for a week to relax and recharge before the testing season and end of the year. (And I am not even in the classroom now - but my boy and I still feel this way.)

I don’t know about you, but by the time Spring Break arrives, I am flat-out weary. 

When I was teaching, burn-out was so close in spring I could feel it. There were days when the only thing keeping me going was the countdown to time off. 

During break, all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and sleep for a week straight. But honestly, we all know that is not realistic, especially if you have children. (Granted, if that is what you want to do and it helps you recharge, then no judgment here.)

If used well, Spring Break can be the perfect time for you to fill your bucket up so you feel refreshed and ready for the rest of the school year. 

Here are 10 ways you could fill your bucket and re-energize this Spring Break.

10 Ways To Fill Your Bucket

1.Sleep In At Least Once

Do you remember the days when you didn’t set an alarm clock? 

Oh sweet summertime, where are you? 

While we are all aware that it is extremely impractical to assume that we can spend every day this week sleeping in, try your best to not set an alarm just once (maybe twice if you can). 

I don’t know what it is, but doesn’t it feel luxurious to go to bed knowing that you don’t have to wake up at a certain time?

2. Read

Find something fun to read! 

What I find interesting is that so many of us teach the importance of reading, but so few of us take the time to do it ourselves. Our free time seems to fly by.

Reading forces us to slow down, both our mind and bodies. So sit down, slow your pace, and enjoy getting lost in a good book. 

3. Buy something for your HOUSE, not your CLASSROOM

How often do you find something at the dollar section of Target and pick it up for your classroom? All the time, right? 

This week, buy something for your house, not your classroom. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just intentionally choose something for your home.

Even that mental shift will be a relief for you. 

4. Bake, Cook, Or Eat Something Delicious!

If you know me, you know that baking and cooking is not something that relaxes me. However, it might be for you!

If you love to bake or cook, take some time this week to create something delicious for you and your family. 

If you’re like me and baking and cooking just gives you more stress, order something delicious for you and your family.

Intentionally enjoying time together around food is a great way to destress

5. Go on a friend date

This week off is the perfect time to call up a friend and reconnect!

You know how difficult it is to spend significant time with a friend during the busyness of the school year. Choose a fun spot where the two of you can just sit and chat with each other. Bonus points if you can spend time NOT talking about school!

You’ll feel your stress level decrease as you spend time with your friends. 

6. Get outside

When was the last time you were outside? Was it recess? Get outside for a bit! Science has actually proven that dirty has destressing compounds - it will do you good to spend some time in nature.

Find a park bench, sit in the shade, go for a hike, garden - do whatever you want! 

7. Drink your coffee or tea while it's HOT

As I was writing this, someone I know looked over my shoulder and said, “What do you mean drink coffee while it's hot? Of course you should. Why are you telling them that?”

This was followed by a very quick (but passionate) rant about how often we as teachers don’t do regular things like drink beverages when at the ideal temperature or eat during our lunch period. 

So this week, sit down with your coffee or tea and enjoy it while it is still steaming. 

8. Do One Chore You Want to Do

Whether you want to clean your whole house or repaint a room, if you are an achiever-personality, you will feel better if you have one goal accomplished by the end of the week. 

While you will feel better accomplishing one goal over break, be sure you don’t spend your entire break working! 

9. Family time 

Spend time with your family. I know this might seem like a no-brainer, but I have to say it. 

Now I’m not saying that you need to become a cruise director, creating activities for every minute of your break. Find one super fun thing to do as a family and enjoy every moment of it! 

You won’t regret making memories.

10. Move your body 

Finding time to intentionally move your body will only improve your mental health and refresh you. I am NOT saying you need to get to the gym and be on the treadmill for an hour every day. This could be taking a hike or gardening.

Movement improves mental health. 

Spring Break is an important time in the school year for you and your students. Frankly, everyone in the school system needs a week when they can let their brains and bodies rest.

So take advantage of this week so you can finish the rest of the school year feeling refreshed and ready! 

How are you going to spend your Spring Break?