How to Switch Off and Enjoy Christmas: Five Tips for Teachers

Christmas is upon us which means it is time to switch off, spend time with your loved ones, and enjoy the festive season. However, I know it is easier said than done, right? We’re educators and we tend to be deeply involved in our jobs which makes ‘switching’ off quite difficult.

Check out my top five tips to help you de-stress, rejuvenate and feel fresh when entering the new year.

1) Plan ahead

Let’s be realistic, although we have a couple of weeks off during the Christmas period this doesn’t mean we don’t have to work. Even though non-educators believe we simply put our feet up, eat biscuits and binge on TV during our half terms, we know that isn’t the case. 

My first tip for you is to plan ahead. 

Decide on when it will feel right to work, either at the start of the break or the end and isolate this in your diaries. Personally, I would isolate a day straight after the term has ended and plan for the term ahead. Our brains are already in ‘work mode’ and therefore it is easier, quicker and fresher in our minds which helps to get tasks completed. It’s also nicer to get everything all done so we don’t spend the whole holidays tossing and turning and dreaming about all the things we need to do.

2) Switch off all notifications

If your phones are linked to your work emails then snooze this or turn all notifications off. This will reduce the temptation to respond to them during your break and allow you to truly switch off. Avoid opening up your emails on your desktop and deactivate any other means of communication until you are ready to get back into work mode. 

As teachers we are entitled to have time off and you should not feel the pressure of working when you should be resting.

3) Self-Care

You don’t need permission to engage in self-care activities – you deserve it. Consider how you would like to reward yourself and think about what you enjoy doing. It could be that you have neglected meeting with friends or loved ones, or you have an unused voucher tucked away in a drawer somewhere. Whatever it is, find time to get your self-care activities organised and just do it.

4) Goal Setting

We are entering into a new year which means it is a perfect time to think about your goals, such as:

What do you want to achieve in 2023? 

How important is it for you to achieve your goal on a scale of 1 – 10?

What steps will you take towards achieving your goal?

How will it feel once you have accomplished this goal?

Take a moment to journal or note down your ambitions. 

This will leave you feeling energised and motivated when returning to work in the new year and help you to be intentional with your time and energy.

5) Reflections

Lastly, and most importantly, take another moment to reflect on 2022. You can journal or simply note down your thoughts, feelings and experiences. 

What went well in 2022? 

What have you learnt in 2022 that you would like to change in 2023? 

If you made these changes how would it make you feel? 

What could you say ‘no’ to, to help you achieve your goals?

What are three words that you would like to use this time next year to describe your 2022 year? 

About the Writer 

Rebecca is an award-winning social entrepreneur, an internationally recognised, fully accredited and qualified Teacher, Transformation Coach, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and DISC Behaviour and Personality Profiling Practitioner. 

Rebecca passionately helps heart-centered and purpose driven professionals (including those within the education sector) to thrive in all aspects of their lives. Her core purpose is to empower her clients through powerful and transformational coaching, mentoring and training so they can live a truly fulfilled life. 

We also invite teaching professionals to join our free community over on Facebook.

As we approach the end of the year and head into the festive season it is important for us to reflect and set positive intentions for the holidays and moving forward into the New Year. Here are our tips on how you can spread some Christmas cheer for free.