21 Fantastic Ways Stressed Out Teachers Can Relax

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a terrible, horrible, very bad, no good day.

Lol…me too.

The copier broke. The data was due. The soda machine was empty. Lunchtime was filled with an angry parent’s phone call.

By the end of the day, my shoulders were tight, my patience was thin, and my feet were dragging.

Stress.

In a field where about 8% exit the field each year (source), stress abounds. It’s something we all face. So, the question is, how can we unwind? These 21 ideas are fantastic ways stressed-out teachers can relax.

Here are 21 fantastic ways teachers can relax.

Look through the list of ways teachers can relax. Hopefully, you’ll find something that works for you.

1. Read a book

• Escaping a long day by snuggling up with a good book can be a great way to relax.

2. Do a craft

• Getting creative with some crafting can be a great way to bust stress and have fun.

3. Get a massage

• While getting a massage may not be an everyday stress reliever, it can make a world of difference.

4.  Take a hot bath

• Pour in the bubbles. Add some good music, a favorite candle, and a riveting novel, and let your stress melt away.

5. Talk with a friend

• Sometimes a good heart-to-heart vent session with a close friend is exactly what’s needed to let go.

6. Go out for dessert and coffee

• Yum. A change of scenery can make a world of difference. Try relaxing over a nice dessert and a steaming hot cup of your favorite drink. Bring a friend or go alone, but savor the treat lingering over the flavors and scents as you relax.

7. Get outside

• Speaking of scenery, getting outside can do wonders for your soul. Take a drive to somewhere scenic and go hiking. Look out at the view and take in just how amazing this world is.

8. Explore aromatherapy

• Scents are tied to memories and emotions. Try adding some essential oils to your bath or slathering on your favorite lotion. Explore what scents help you unwind.

9. Get your nails done

• Sometimes a little pampering can really boost our moods. Looking down at your pretty nails might just make you smile. Plus, getting them done is pretty fun too. (Doing them yourself works too.)

10. Laugh so hard you cry

• Laughter is great medicine. A good laugh can turn a bad day around. Is there a movie or a specific comedian’s act that makes you laugh so hard you cry?

11. Take a walk or exercise

• As little as 5 minutes of moderate exercise can boost your mood. Walking, running, or working out can all help us release stress (source).

12. Put on some music and clean the house

• Tackling a job can make us feel accomplished. Pick a small area where you can see a visible difference, turn up your favorite tunes, and revel in your accomplishment.

13. Play  a mindless video game or an app on your phone

• Have you ever found yourself perseverating about something hours after it happened? Vegging out with a mindless video game or app on your phone might help you break your train of thought.

14. Practice meditation

• There are some great apps for phones that can walk you through different meditations. You can find guided meditation apps or just background music. Either way, meditation can be a great way to get in touch with your feelings and calm any anxiety you might have.

15. Yoga

• Yoga combines the benefits of meditation and exercise. It’s a great way to relax your mind and your body. It’s also great because it can be as gentle or strenuous as you want.

16. Put on your favorite song and dance around like no one’s watching

• You know those scenes in the movie where someone is dancing around in their pajamas, sliding around in their socks, and singing into their hairbrush like an off-key hyena? Let go. Be silly and just get into it.

17. Binge watch a good show

• Mmmm…popcorn. Add a fluffy blanket and a good spot on the couch, and an evening of T.V. can be a relaxing end to a busy day.

18. Pray

• When the things we’re stressed out about are totally out of our control, worrying doesn’t change anything. Sometimes the best thing we can do is pray for guidance and trust that we will make it through the storm.

19. Turn your shower into a steam room

• Turn the water on high and point it away from yourself. Let it get all steamy, and pretend you’re at the spa.

20. Linger over a cup of tea

• A hot cup of Earl Gray is my vice. Taking a few minutes to linger over a cup of tea: breathing in the hot steam, smelling the aroma, and sipping mouthfuls of its creamy goodness as I rock on my front porch is bliss. Sharing it with a friend is even better.

21. Play something silly with your kids

• Connecting with your loved ones can provide a huge mood boost. Doing something silly with your kids that gets you laughing is a great way to leave work behind.

Hopefully, this list of ways teachers can relax will give you some ideas. Whatever you do, take the time to do something. Find ways to relax because, as rewarding as it is, teaching is still H-A-R-D.

You’re going to have some days that feel like terrible, horrible, very bad, no good days. Other times, you might have to take a sick day. On those days treating yourself to a stress reliever or two (or three) may be an obvious choice, but it’s important to prioritize yourself every day.

Pick two or three stress relievers to try out this week. See if it makes a difference. You deserve it.

Do you struggle to be the A-M-A-Z-I-N-G teacher you want to be and still HAVE TIME for your dream life outside of school, too?

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