Feeling tired seems like it’s part of an educator’s job these days. But being tired doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong; it often means you’re investing all of yourself into a career you love and students you care about.

In order to maintain the standard of excellence you’ve set for yourself, rest and rejuvenation are vital.

Rest doesn’t just mean lying down or sleeping. More than that, intentional rest is about recharging your body and your spirit so that you can manage the daily stresses that come with life. This is the time of year when our hearts are full, but so are our minds and to-do lists, often adding to daily work stress that can feel overwhelming. Now that winter break is here, it’s time to focus on recharging so you can enter January rejuvenated and excited. It’s also a great time to establish new habits to help sustain that energy over the remainder of the school year!

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Here are some great ways to rest, renew, and create sustainable habits to avoid burnout: 

  • Give yourself permission to enjoy your holiday!

    It is 100% okay to leave work at work and take your days off to focus on family, friends, and even yourself. Spending time with others, focusing on holiday traditions, and even carving out time for intentional rest are all helpful things to do, and you should not feel guilty for doing them. Your work will be waiting, and resetting your mind over the break will help you be better prepared to tackle it. So allow yourself to “just be,” without worrying about lesson plans, grades, or even checking your email. Instead, take advantage of the time to invest in intentional rejuvenation so that when you return to your work, your energy is renewed and your heart is full. This is how your students, staff, and colleagues get the best version of you.

  • Make intentional time for the things you enjoy.

    Watch TV, read, sleep, exercise, craft, and do the things that fill your soul so that when you return in January, your spirits and your energy are high. Don’t put pressure on yourself to complete tasks. Instead, do what helps your mind feel focused and energized. Or do nothing at all! Check out this video on how mind-wandering actually helps with creativity.

  • Spend time outside.

    Sunlight has a positive effect on mental and physical health. It’s often seasonably nice here in Georgia over the holidays, so get outside and enjoy it. Build vitamin D and get some sunlight to help your mind recharge. If you aren’t an outdoorsy person, check out these videos about going on a nature walk and exploring your own backyard to help you get started. Can’t get outside due to weather or other circumstances? Check out GPB’s virtual field trips around Georgia.

  • Reset your space, but don’t overdo it.

    Have you seen the studies that show that clutter can actually cause our bodies to release cortisol and increase our stress response? We can combat that by doing a light reset in our lives. Tidy up a desk, small space, or singular room. Add a live plant to a living space. Change your lighting or do a slight furniture rearrangement. Organize your 2026 planner with birthdays and important dates. Any of these things can help with a mental and emotional reset.

  • Move your body.

    Some days have us stuck behind a computer or standing in the same place for too long. Moving your body is not only good for your health, it’s also good for your mind. Studies show that moving more decreases your chances of developing health issues, from diabetes to dementia. Don’t put pressure on yourself to start a new health routine; just move daily. Check out these ideas from a collection called Move It! or these great yoga resources for families to try together.

  • Laugh, on purpose!

    Laughter truly is the best medicine, so find something that tickles your funny bone and laugh until your face and belly hurt!

  • Focus on the real relationships in your life.

    While social media is a gift that connects, it often distracts us from the people in our own lives. Challenge yourself to put down the phone and instead connect with the ones you care about most. Studies have shown that constant scrolling has a negative effect on mental and physical health, so make yourself a priority and set times to disconnect in order to reconnect with positive relationships in your life. For more about social media, check out this great resource for educators.

  • Eat a bit of chocolate.

    Dark chocolate can lower the stress hormone cortisol and help to reset metabolism. While you’re enjoying this sweet snack, learn more about Milton Hershey, who built a chocolate empire in Pennsylvania.

  • Establish new healthy habits like practicing mindfulness.

    Mindfulness is about being aware in the present moment and noticing your thoughts without judgment. It’s a simple practice to establish, and it can help regulate your body’s response to stress. Check out this wonderful guided mindfulness practice you can use any time.

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  • Focus on gratitude.

    Focusing on gratitude can change your perspective away from any dread of a new semester. Thankfulness can come from positive relationships with your colleagues, content you love to teach, the classroom you’ve created, and students you enjoy. It can also come from the fact that you have a job that provides a paycheck. Gratitude is found in the simple and profound, and there is always something to be thankful for. Check out this video on how gratitude impacts your life.

  • Create a back-to-school readiness ritual.

    Meal prep for busy weeknights and school lunches. Plan outfits and iron clothes in advance. Get a new morning beverage, like a fun flavored coffee or tea, to enjoy on your way to work. Create a new “driving to work” playlist that is full of songs that make you smile and dance so you can set the tone for the day you want to have. Make a mental list of things you look forward to in semester two!

  • Know that someone needs you.

    Education is a calling, and whether you’ve been doing it for six months or thirty years, at some point in your career, if you’re open to it, you will have an impact on the life of a student (or many!). Although you may not know the depth of that impact, you will play a role in shaping the life of a student who can only be impacted by you. What makes you unique and special will be the thing that speaks to that student, and you’ll change a life, whether you ever know it or not. Let that be the encouragement you need to take care of yourself. Your students need you!

Rest is about resetting your mind and body so that you can rebuild your energy. Be intentional about that over this winter break so that when you return to your school in January, you are at your mental and emotional best. Taking care of yourself is a powerful way to show up for those you love, including your students!

Wishing you much rest and rejuvenation from all of us on GPB’s education team. Happy holidays!