As teachers, weekends are sacred. They’re the time to step away from lesson plans, marking, and emails to focus on our own well-being. But learning how to recharge on the weekend as a teacher can feel impossible when work creeps into every aspect of your life.

For years, I was that teacher – working all hours, responding to emails and the like after school. My weekends often blurred into prep time, and weeknights became an extension of my teaching.

At the time, I told myself this was just part of being a “good teacher.” It was something that just became part of the job. And when we taught from home during Covid lockdowns, it just grew and grew.

But eventually, the cracks started to show. I was exhausted, disconnected from my family, and couldn’t shake the creeping feeling that I was losing myself in the job.

Then one day, I stopped. I made a decision: no more bringing work home. It wasn’t easy at first, but it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, for my career, my family, and my well-being. It was time to reclaim my life and my weekends.

The Mental Shift: Work Is Just One Part of My Life

Teaching wasn’t supposed to cost me my relationships, my health, or my sense of joy. The first thing I had to do was realize there was more to life than work. For so long, I equated taking work home with being a “dedicated” teacher. But in reality, I was just burning myself out. I had to start to see teaching as part of my life, not my whole identity. It was a job I cared about deeply, but it wasn’t worth sacrificing everything else for.

Practical Steps to Leave Work at Work

Here’s how I transitioned to keeping school at school and why I’ve never looked back.

• I set a clear finish time each day: I started leaving school at school and not taking anything home. At first, this felt impossible, but I realized that work expands to fill the time you allow it. By giving myself less time to complete my prioritized tasks, the more I became focused and efficient during my work hours.
• I prioritized ruthlessly: Not everything needs to be done, and not everything needs to be perfect. I focused on the tasks that truly impacted my students and my teaching and let go of the rest.
• I communicated boundaries: I made it clear that I wouldn’t respond to emails or Teams posts or chats outside school hours.
• I built a routine to end my workday smoothly: Before finishing up for my day, I spent a few minutes organizing my desk, checking my to-do list for the next day, and tying up loose ends. This gave me peace of mind and helped me truly switch off when I got home.
• I stopped marking everything: and focused only on key assessments. Using self-assessment, peer reviews, and verbal feedback saved hours while empowering my students.

Why I stopped taking work home

Once I stopped taking work home and stopped responding to messages, I realized I had weekends for my family and myself again, an unfamiliar but amazing feeling! And I really started to switch off. To prevent burnout, I started to see weekends as sacred time to recharge and reconnect with what I love.

How to Recharge on the Weekend as a Teacher:

If you’re tired of starting each week already drained, here are 29 simple and cost-free ways to recharge on weekends that may help prevent teacher burnout.

1. Start the Day with Mindfulness

• Dedicate five minutes each morning to deep breathing or meditation.
• Sit by a window with a cup of tea or coffee and focus on the present moment.
• I intentionally slow down, whether it’s sipping a green tea on my patio or cooking a meal without rushing. Being present is key.

2. Take a Nature Walk

• Find a nearby park or walking trail and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of nature.
• Leave your phone behind or keep it on silent to fully disconnect.
• Spending time outdoors resets my mind. Whether it’s a walk along the beach or sitting in my backyard, being surrounded by nature helps me decompress.

3. Try Journaling for Reflection

• Spend 10 minutes writing about your week, what went well, what didn’t, and what you’re grateful for.
• Use journaling to set intentions for the upcoming week.

4. Enjoy an At-Home Spa Day

• Take a long bath or shower, light a candle, and play calming music.
• Use DIY face masks or finally put those bath bombs you received as gifts to good use!
• Epsom salts also do the trick.

5. Read for Pleasure

• Pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read, something unrelated to teaching.
• Even 20 minutes of escape into a novel or magazine can feel rejuvenating.

6. Declutter a Small Space

• Tidy up one corner of your home to create a calming, organized environment.
• Focus on your desk, a drawer, or your bedside table. Small wins make a big difference.

7. Practice Gentle Movement

• Do some light stretching or yoga to ease tension from the week.
• There are plenty of free yoga classes online for all skill levels.

8. Cook a Comforting Meal

• Use ingredients you already have to make a favorite recipe.
• Enjoy the process of cooking slowly and mindfully, treating it as self-care.

9. Have a Digital Detox

• Turning off school-related notifications allows me to stay present and focus on personal interests, my home and my family.
• Set aside a few hours, or even a whole day, to unplug from screens.
• Use this time to be present with family, friends, or yourself!

10. Create a Sunday Evening Routine

• Set aside time to organize your bag or outfit for Monday.
• Prepare your meals or snacks for the week, keeping the routine calm and intentional.

11. Do Something Creative

• Sketch, paint, or craft something for fun, no need for perfection!
• Repurpose items at home for a quick DIY project or try some mindful colouring

12. Spend Time with Loved Ones

• Plan a simple outing like a picnic or a game night at home.
• Prioritize connection without the distraction of work.

13. Embrace Slow Living During Chores

• I use weekends to care for my family and their needs. Whether it be cooking or cleaning it’s my chance to make my home a nourishing and comforting place to be.
• Turn mundane tasks into mindful ones: fold laundry while listening to soothing music or clean while listening to an inspiring podcast.
• Focus on one thing at a time to reduce overwhelm.

14. Take a Gratitude Walk

• Walk around your neighborhood and focus on things you’re thankful for such as your home, the weather, or even a kind passer by.
• Pair this with deep breathing for a double dose of mindfulness.

15. Create a Gratitude List

• Write down three things you’re thankful for each day of the weekend.
• Reflect on moments of joy or accomplishments, no matter how small.

16. Try Free Guided Meditations

• Use apps like Insight Timer or HeadSpace for free meditations tailored to relaxation or stress relief.
• A quick 10-minute session can work wonders for your mindset.

17. Spend Time Gardening

• Whether you have a backyard or just a few pots on a balcony, tending to plants can be a calming, grounding activity.
• If you don’t have plants, you could start a mini herb garden using kitchen scraps.

18. Rearrange a Room or Space

• Shift furniture, add a cozy blanket, or swap decorations to refresh your home environment.
• Small changes can make your space feel new and inspiring.

19. Practice a Breathing Exercise

• Use box breathing: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds. Repeat 5 times.
• It’s a quick and effective way to reset your nervous system.

20. Watch the Sunrise or Sunset

• Take a moment to step outside and appreciate the beauty of nature’s rhythms.
• Use this time to reflect or simply enjoy the quiet.

21. Declutter Your Digital Space

• Clean up your email inbox, delete unnecessary files, or organize photos on your phone.
• A tidy digital space can reduce mental clutter too.

22. Have a ‘Pyjama Day’

• Stay in your coziest pyjamas all day, guilt-free.
• Watch your favorite shows, nap, or simply lounge around.

23. Explore Local Nature Spots

• Find a free local trail, beach, or even a quiet park bench to enjoy.
• Listen to the sounds of nature and let yourself unwind.

24. Write a Letter to Your Future Self

• Pen a note to yourself six months or a year from now.
• Share your hopes, accomplishments, and things you want to remember.

25. Host a DIY Movie Night

• Set up a cozy corner with blankets and snacks, and watch a favorite film or series.
• Make it special by picking a theme or trying a movie you’ve never seen.

26. Listen to Music That Inspires You

• Create a playlist of songs that bring you joy, calm, or motivation.
• Dance around your living room or simply sit and enjoy the melodies.

27. Rediscover an Old Hobby

• Get out those scrapbooking supplies, or knitting needles you’ve been neglecting.
• Spend an hour indulging in something you used to love.

28. Try a DIY Home Workout

• Use free YouTube videos to try yoga, pilates, or even dance routines.
• Moving your body, even gently, can help clear your mind and boost energy.
• Maybe some ‘Chair Yoga” is more your style.

29. Thrifting Adventures

• Thrift shopping became my favorite self-care ritual. It’s like a treasure hunt that gets me out of the house, sparks creativity, and brings me joy. Then I can decorate my home with my thrifted finds!

Embrace Slow Living to Recharge on the Weekend as a Teacher

Recharging on weekends doesn’t have to involve elaborate plans or spending money. By incorporating small, intentional acts of self-care and mindfulness into your weekends, you can show up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the week ahead. Start by trying just a few of these ideas and notice the difference it makes in your energy and outlook. Over time, you’ll build a self-care routine that prevents burnout and keeps you refreshed for the week ahead.

Prepare for Monday Without Sacrificing the Weekend

Now on Sunday evenings, I like to spend some time prepping for the week ahead. I’ll lay out my own children’s school uniforms, pack their lunches, and glance at my to do list for the week. This small ritual keeps Monday stress-free without cutting into my weekend rest. And I always make sure my lessons for the following Monday are ready to go the previous.

These strategies have made a world of difference in how I approach weekends and my overall well-being. Learning how to recharge on weekends as a teacher has allowed me to show up each Monday feeling refreshed and ready to give my best. I feel like I really have had a break.

The Surprising Benefits of Setting Boundaries

Once I stopped taking school work home and started to implement some of the ideas in this post, the shift was almost immediate. I started:

• Enjoying My Evenings: I could cook dinner, check in with my kids, or just unwind without the weight of school on my mind.
• Being Fully Present: My relationships improved because I wasn’t distracted by work.
• Rediscovering Hobbies: I finally had time for thrifting, decorating, and exploring creative projects that brought me joy.
• Feeling Less Burnt Out: I became a better teacher because I showed up each day refreshed and focused.

Why I’ll Never Look Back

Letting go of the habit of taking work home on the weekends, wasn’t just about improving my work-life balance, it was about reclaiming my life. It’s easy to feel like the job demands everything, but the truth is, your well-being matters just as much as your students’ success.

To any teacher reading this who feels stuck in the cycle of “always working,” I want you to know it’s okay to stop.

It’s okay to draw a line.

It’s okay to put yourself first.

When you do, you’ll find that you have so much more to give, not just to your students, but to yourself and the people who matter most to you.

So pack up your bag, leave it at school, and don’t look back.

Your weekends and your life are waiting. And if you’re wondering where to start, just try simple strategies like these. Your future self will thank you.