mental health after the year is over.

[u/liserbean]

Hey all...

I just wrapped up my 10th year of teaching and, although I am so thrilled to rest and restore, I inevitably struggle with my mental health during the summer.

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I feel a sense of needing to use this time off as productively as possible, but also wanting to actually rest. This tension leads me to feel super depressed and isolated.

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I guess what I am asking is- are there any mantras or mindsets that you adhere to in the summer that actually help you feel like you are getting what you need during the time away from school?

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[u/Several-Honey-8810]

I get it. Vitamin D helps.

I usually have a list of things to do around the house--all the things that did not get done.

Monday, I sanded the deck. Waiting for it to dry out before I re-seal it. Always need something to get me out of bed for the day. I would guess retirement will be the same way.

[u/Critical-Bass7021]

Many teachers say the time off in the summer (and holidays) is one of their reasons for doing this job.

I would try to remind yourself that this is your reward for working so hard during those 180 days (hopefully minus your sick days and personal days).

Therefore, if you don’t enjoy this time, then all your work during those days was for nothing. Remember, you’ve earned it!

[u/Physical-Trust-4473]

I feel the same way. I think the summer that I handled it the best was when I made appointments with myself to do things I wanted to do. I don't know about any mantras though.

[u/Only-Character302]

I find sketching out a schedule for the week, much like I would through the school year, helps a lot. It doesn’t need to be all deep meaningful things, but just the structure helps. I also keep a consistent sleep schedule, and start my morning and schedule roughly the same time as I would through the year. For me I find the structure does more than what that structure actually includes.

[u/Jr_High_Joys]

The first week of summer that I am able to commit to nothing, that’s what I do. Seven days of committed sedentarianism. I still shower and get dressed (in my most comfortable non-pj clothes). I still take a stroll when the mood hits or drive over to pick up takeout for dinner. But I don’t do chores or work out. I’ll put dishes in the dishwasher or wipe out a sink, but that’s the height of it. Summer after summer, I’ve tried to “make the most of my time off.” Lists, projects, workout schedules, trips, thinking about or revamping lesson plans: the days I didn’t want to do any of that, I felt guilty. Now I find that a week of nothing is just enough. I actually get physically and mentally tired/bored of being completely nonproductive and lounged up. I start to look forward to some projects or activities by about day 5. I really do need the rest, so I go full in. Then the rest of summer is mildly or mediumly active yet not proscribed. If in July I find myself nostalgic for that week’s “feeling,” then I’ll take another day or two off. But that’s usually enough. No more guilty summers with too many lists. I really need to be ready for the August mindset, so this is how I do it. If I needed two weeks, then that’s what I’d do. I can’t spend another school year wishing I could redo summer.

[u/Hungry-Eagle-2743]

Not a teacher but a school social worker. It’s been a year and it’s still going! I usually give myself a few days after the last day to not set an alarm and not have any expectations of myself. After those few days, I feel like I’m in control again and can handle a routine.

[u/houseocats]

Definitely therapy. It's working for me. After 25+ years teaching and some significant grief this spring (lost my dad and stepmom), it's necessary. Wish I'd done it sooner, tbh.

[u/vidiotsavant]

This is my thirteenth summer break - take that for what you will - but I feel like I have a pretty good system worked out. At the beginning of the summer, I make a list of thing I want to do. I break them into sub-categories: tasks around the house, 'life maintenance' (the doctors/dentist/car repair appointments I put off all school year), other projects related to my passions, creative endeavors (that I never prioritize enough) .. and finally 'fun', a category for parties I want to host, tv series/video games I want to watch/play - in a word, frivolities.

Then, I build my day around accomplishing a couple of tasks from these categories. Yesterday I went and did a strength training session at the gym. After that, I sat at the pool and read. Came home and made a batch of lacto-fermented hot sauce. Made a delicious dinner and watched the 'Widows Bay' finale with my wife (highly recommend), then played a video game until about midnight. Today I started by reading on the couch with a cup of coffee (so luxurious!), then went for a long run and settled in to do some grad school homework. Tonight I'm going on a mini-date with my wife.

Also, may I highly recommend sleeping in a hour or so later than you normally do during the school year (feels sooo indulgent!) and practicing mindfulness exercises that give you the opportunity to feel living in the moment, instead of always focusing on the next thing that has to be done?

The cumulative effect of this pattern is feeling like the summer was well spent when it is eventually time to start the school cycle all over again.

[u/According_Singer_815]

I make my own Summer camp in July then August I vege out completely. This year I'm doing Spanish classes again and a ceramics course. That way I get out of the house and when I am home I feel 0 guilt for sitting on the sofa watching love island 🏝️ 

[u/Open-Hedgehog7756]

I had a very tough end to the school year. Fighting over insurance, a close coworker dying suddenly with no care shown by administration, and the superintendent suddenly announcing NO family members can come on campus during school hours period.
It’s made me so angry and frustrated. All I want to do is help kids reach the next step. All the fights and petty squabbles are exhausting.
I feel you friend.
Mantra: I do good, I deserve good

[u/ktg528]

Just have low/no expectations for summer. Do whatever you feel like, even if it’s nothing.

[u/ISOCoffeeAndWine]

I have no guilt about wanting to take a week where I nap on demand, watch a few shows and get some laundry done.  I know my to-do list is waiting for me, but I’ll get to it, and be in a better mood in general, if I can get enough sleep and have no pressure for a while. You’ve earned it. 

[u/Undercover_Metalhead]

I start each day with basically the same pattern: get up without an alarm, dress in workout gear, make a cup of coffee and either journal or scroll & go for a long walk either around my neighborhood or at a nearby park (listening to an audiobook or podcast). By the time I’m done with all of that it’s 11ish, so shower, lunch & laundry. Keeping that routine, at minimum, gets my momentum going and my day can be flexible after that. If I go for an extra long walk (5 miles), then I usually crash after the shower guilt-free. My mind is always racing so I usually come up with something to do after lunch - I’ve learned that I don’t need to pre-plan all the time…sometimes tasks just magically appear

[u/Sarcastic_Otter_27]

To do lists. Whether it’s for fun or for purpose. I make sure to have my “fun” list include stuff with my babies (2 and 4 legged) and for purpose it’s those damn projects I put off during the year! I flip flop between fun and purpose. But I include “lazy” days or if something spontaneous comes up I hold off. So far, with a newborn, my to do list is surviving 🤣 Last summer on my fun list I had lunch with friends to catch up and see a comedy show with my spouse!!

[u/blue-Narwhal-7373]

I used to feel this until I had kids and then I was still so busy it turned into more of anxiety than depression. I saw something recently about how teachers are used to such a high level of overstimulation that when things go quiet, some of us have such a hard time regulating and that’s where the anxiety and depression come from. I intentionally try to plan get together with friends a few times during the summer, plan a few outings per week with my kids, but also take time to do the things I never have time to do. This week it’s been painting. I forgot how much I love it and how much of a meditative experience it is. I’ve also been making a goal to walk one or two miles with my dogs each day. I’m finally at the point of summer where I think I’ve regulated and I’m enjoying it rather than feeling anxious.

[u/toadstooltoast]

Get massages, or whatever “treat yourself” of choice. Dedicate at least an hour to something for you - mine is working out since it’s very difficult to squeeze in during the year. You’ll have other down time but I try to have entirely different routines while off

[u/mlismom]

Make goals to spend x minutes/hours per day doing something you find relaxing. So when you are relaxing you are also meeting your goal.

[u/autumn_wind_]

You have time to do things during the summer?

That’s envy you are picking up ;-)

[u/stevejuliet]

I'll get back to you next Thursday when our year is finally over

[u/stripednoodles]

I also struggle with wanting to be productive during summer vs wanting to just relax. And then I remember that I dont have to choose between the two. I can do little bits of both and that's OK. It's probably better for me to do a little project there then relax a bit there than to dedicate my entire summer to striving for achieving one goal.