It’s that time again. You just finished the school year, you’re barely getting used to sleeping in, and as you walk through the store for groceries, you see it: the back-to-school section. You feel a flutter in your chest. Is that excitement? Or anxiety? Maybe it’s a bit of both? These feelings are normal for all educators. Summer is the perfect time to listen to your body and support your own mental health. Establishing healthy mental health habits in summer sets you up to continue them as you head back to school in the fall.    

Mental health is described as a state of wellbeing in which we can cope with stressors, work towards goals and contribute to our community. Below are a few easy strategies you can do to support your own wellbeing as you enjoy the last few weeks of summer break.  

Acknowledge the Feelings without Judgment 

Those flutters you may have had in the back-to-school aisle are your body’s signal to you. Take a moment to focus on that feeling. What is it? Acknowledge it. You can even journal about what you feel. When we name our feelings, we begin to understand our body’s reactions to certain situations. If these feelings arise again, take a breath and notice them. Feelings come and go. We can learn from them if we take a moment to we listen to our body.  

Create a Mental Health Routine 

Remember, mental health means we can cope with stressors and work towards a goal. A few key factors for mental wellbeing are sleep, nutrition, movement and social connection. Aim for goals such as: 

• Getting a good night’s sleep  
• Staying hydrated 
• Eating well-balanced meals 
• Moving your body 
• Having positive social interactions 

Start small! You don’t have to accomplish all of these things at once. Select just one area to focus on between now and the beginning of the school year. Do you want to prioritize sleep? Nutrition? Movement? Social connection? Something else that can positively impact your mental health?  

Now, set one goal and write it down. 

For example: 

• Set a reasonable bedtime for one week 
• Read a book instead of look at screens for one hour before bed every day for one week 
• Set a goal for how much water to drink in a day 
• Make a meal plan for dinners for one week 
• Prep a healthy breakfast the night before 
• Go for a 20-minute walk every morning for a week 
• Join a workout class 
• Schedule at least one social interaction with a friend or family member 

How will you set up a routine to help you stay consistent with your goal? Who or what can help support you? (Friends, accountability partners, reminders, apps, etc.) 

A well-planned goal might look like this: “I will aim to sleep at least seven hours each night this week. To do that, I will set a timer for 30 minutes before I need to get to bed each night. I will turn the tv off and dim the lights to prepare myself for sleep.”  

Be Kind to Yourself 

If you miss a day or lose sight of the goal, give yourself grace. You’re human. We all do this. You can always pick it up again or choose a different strategy to move forward. Don’t give up!   

For a deeper dive into these strategies and more ways to support your mental health, download our Free Mental Health Toolkit.