EP162 Planning for Rest- Creating Structure

Welcome educators! Before we get started, I want to share the amazing resources I have available.

To learn more and download some engaging resources, go to myadventuresinesl.com/store.

To all the incredible ESL teachers—thank you for the heart, patience, and dedication you pour into your students every day. You do so much more than teach English; you give students the confidence to find their voice, the courage to express themselves, and the tools to build a brighter future. Your classroom is a place of hope, growth, and possibility.

The work you do may not always be easy, but it is life-changing. Every word learned, every small victory, and every moment of encouragement make a lasting impact. Keep inspiring, keep believing in your students, and know that what you do truly matters. You are making a difference, one student at a time! 💙✨

The goal of today’s podcast is to provide you with the tools you need to create a master plan to ensure you rest and refresh this summer.

Last summer, I did not plan for rest nor did I rest the whole summer. I am here to testify that it has greatly affected my teaching this school year. I have found myself yearning for rest throughout the school and on the verge of burnout. I know a lot of you all may have the same struggle which got me thinking about how I can be better prepared this year. Which leads me to this question…

Have you ever started your summer vacation feeling exhausted from the school year?

Let me share with you why it is so important to reset and have a relaxation plan for the summer. 

Teachers need to recharge

• During the year, you are putting in countless times and hours to ensure your students are successful. This can mean that a lot of times, you are making personal sacrifices.
• Those sacrifices can look like you working extra hours on the weekend, missing personal events, and just finding yourself wanting to sleep the weekend away. 
• Having a structured plan ensures that you are taking the time to recover instead of spending the summer on autopilot. 

Prevents Burnout & Long-term Stress

• Taking time in the summer to rest and recover will prevent you from having burnout. 
• There have been numerous studies that show stress impacts mental health, job satisfaction, and longevity in education. Planning to rest and reset during the summer can greatly reduce your stress levels. A lot of times, teachers have the intention to rest, but they are filling the break with obligations and stress. This impacts your stress levels.

Better Work-Life Balance

• By having a healthy work-life balance, you are more likely to stay in the education profession long-term. I heard this a lot when I first started teaching, and I noticed over the years that this is true. 
• Ensuring you have a healthy work-life balance will provide you with the privilege of returning to work refreshed.

Improving Physical & Mental Health

• Your physical and mental health play a huge role in your success for the school year. This includes better sleep, exercise, and hobbies. When you are refreshed and rested, you are a happier and healthier teacher.

1.Set Clear Rest Goals

So many teachers accidentally fill their summers with tasks and forget to prioritize rest. This can look like filling your whole summer with professional development and excessively working on your classroom. 

To avoid this, define what “rest” looks like for you. This includes physical, mental, and emotional rest. 

I would also recommend setting up a non-negotiable rest day. For example, you can pick one day a week where you get the physical, mental, and emotional rest you deserve. 

Before we jump back in, I want to tell you about something that can truly change your summer planning game…

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to figure out what to do first, how to get organized, or how to confidently walk into the school year with a plan, you are not alone. That’s exactly why I created The ESL Teacher Master Plan.

This self-paced course walks you step-by-step through how to plan and prepare for the upcoming school year as an ESL teacher. From setting up your classroom systems to creating lessons that work across language levels, it’s all in there—broken down into simple, actionable steps.

So if you’re ready to feel calm, clear, and excited to start the year, head to My Adventures in ESL to check out The ESL Teacher Master Plan Wait List. I’d love to support you this summer!

Alright—let’s get back into it!

2. Time-blocking for Relaxation

I have spoken before about how time-blocking can transform your planning. You can use the same strategy to plan out your relaxation time. Time-block a set amount of hours a day where you dedicate to not working. A good tip I got was that if you plan on binge-watching some TV, simply time-block it. 

3. Build a “Yes & No” List

Decide what is worth your time this summer by making a “Yes & No” List.

Here is an example:

✅ Yes to: Reading for fun, naps, spa days, travel, hobbies.

❌ No to: Overcommitting, unnecessary work tasks, guilt over resting.

In this podcast, you heard some simple and effective strategies you can use to implement a plan to properly rest over the summer. 

Your next step is to pick 1-2 strategies to implement for this upcoming summer vacation.