10 tips for teachers to unwind and reset during the holidays

Posted by Khanyi Khuzwayo on 10 December 2025, 13:55 SAST

1. Leave Work at School

One of the most important steps in relaxing over the holidays is to leave work at school. As tempting as it may be to bring home a bag full of papers to grade and lesson plans to prepare, it's crucial to resist the temptation. While sometimes this just can't be avoided, the holiday break can be a time to disconnect from work and give your brain a much-needed rest. By setting boundaries and leaving your teacher bag untouched, you can fully immerse yourself in relaxation and recharge your mental batteries.

2. Engage in Physical Exercise

Exercise is not only beneficial for your physical health but also for your mental well-being. Engaging in physical activities releases endorphins, which are natural stress-relievers. Whether it's going for a run, practicing yoga, or taking a dance class, find an exercise routine that suits your preferences and schedule. Dedicate some time each day to get your body moving and experience the positive effects of exercise on your overall mood and stress levels.

3. Read!

During the holiday break, give yourself permission to enjoy reading. Put aside the professional development books and instructional materials and pick up a novel that sparks your interest. Dive into a captivating story or lose yourself in the pages of a thrilling mystery. Reading for pleasure not only provides an escape from the demands of teaching but stimulates your imagination too.

4. Unwind with Your Favourite TV Shows

Sometimes, a day of binge-watching your favourite TV shows is just what you need to relax and unwind. Whether it's a classic sitcom, a captivating drama, or a holiday movie marathon, allow yourself the guilty pleasure of a TV binge session. Curl up on the couch with some snacks, dim the lights, and immerse yourself in the captivating stories unfolding on the screen. Just remember to set boundaries and not let it consume your entire holiday break.

5. Travel and Explore

Traveling is an excellent way to broaden your horizons, experience new cultures, and gain fresh perspectives. Take advantage of the holiday break to plan a trip, whether it's a short getaway or a more extended adventure. Explore new destinations, immerse yourself in different environments, and create lasting memories. Traveling not only allows you to recharge but also provides you with valuable experiences and stories to share with your students when you return to the classroom.

6. Dedicate Time to Your Hobbies

Engaging in activities you enjoy is essential for your overall well-being. Dedicate some time during the holiday break to pursue your hobbies and passions. Whether it's painting, gardening, cooking, or playing a musical instrument, enjoy activities that bring you joy and allow you to express your creativity. By immersing yourself in hobbies, you can relax, recharge, and positively impact your teaching when you return to the classroom.

7. Pamper Yourself

Teachers work tirelessly throughout the year. Use the holiday break as an opportunity to pamper yourself and prioritise your well-being. Treat yourself to a spa day, a massage, or a relaxing bath. Get that manicure/pedicure you've been putting off. Engaging in self-care activities not only helps you relax but also boosts your confidence and improves your overall sense of well-being.

8. Spend Quality Time with Loved Ones

The holiday season is a perfect time to reconnect with loved ones and cultivate meaningful relationships outside of the classroom. Plan activities and outings with your family and friends, such as game nights, movie marathons, or simply enjoying a meal together. Engaging in these social interactions allows you to step away from the teacher role and focus on those close to you. Spending quality time with loved ones is essential for your emotional well-being and can help you recharge for the upcoming term.

9. Give Back to the Community

The holiday season is synonymous with acts of kindness and giving back to those in need. Find opportunities to volunteer at local shelters or soup kitchens. Donate clothes, toys, or other items to organisations that support those less fortunate.

Engaging in charitable activities not only helps those in need but also brings a sense of fulfilment and gratitude. Giving back to the community is a powerful way to relax and gain perspective on the things that truly matter.

10. Reflect and Set Goals

As the holiday break comes to an end, take some time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the future. Reflect on your teaching practice, your achievements, and areas for growth. Identify specific goals and action steps that will help you continue to grow as an educator. By setting goals, you can approach the new term with renewed focus and motivation.

Source: Zen Educate

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Coping with exam season stress as a Teacher

Posted by Khanyi Khuzwayo on 29 September 2025, 14:20 SAST

There are plenty of hints and tips for students to manage their stress during the exam time. But what about teachers? The pressure is, of course, immense on teachers so here are a few tips:

The first thing that you need to do is recognise it.

Stress affects us all differently and you are your own expert, keep an eye out for the signs that you are becoming more stressed.

This might be a change in your sleeping or eating patterns, feeling more irritable or having less time to do the things you would normally do for relaxation.

Beginning your day calmly

Sit down for 2 minutes before the pupils arrive and spend this time focusing on being in the moment, taking full deep breaths and slowing your thoughts.

There are some really great apps out there that can help you with this.

Seek peer support

Seek out support from other teachers, the chances are most of you are feeling the same and finding out what others are doing to cope can give you some great ideas and helps you to feel less isolated.

Don’t work too much over time

Yes, easier said than done!  

But remember when you are feeling overwhelmed you stop being productive.

Recognise when this is happening, take some time out and go back to it when you are feeling refreshed.

Leisure time

Find something outside of work that you enjoy doing and make sure you incorporate it into your weekly timetable.

Don’t let it slip to the bottom of your priority list.

A “will do” list

Make a daily “will do” list not a to do list. A to do list gets longer and longer and can add to the sense of feeling overwhelmed.

Make sure that your “will do” list is made up only of things that you can definitely do that day and once it is set – do not add to it.

Learn to say no

You are not superhuman, do not take on more than you know you can manage.

Teachers are very good at advising pupils on managing their workloads and stress – be as kind to yourself as you are to them!

Source: Select Psychology

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9 strategies to prioritise well-being during grading

Posted by Khanyi Khuzwayo on 29 September 2025, 11:50 SAST

Here are nine easy grading practices you can start today to prioritize self-care and well-being during grading.

1. Grade when you’re most alert

Grade during the part of the day when you're most bright-eyed and clear-headed, whether it’s after dinner or first thing in the morning. Grading isn’t something you can do half-heartedly — it’s a demanding task that requires focus, consistency, and patience. Whether you’re a morning person who thrives after that first cup of coffee or a night owl who finds clarity in the quiet of later hours, timing your grading right can help maintain fairness and accuracy.

2. Practice time management with breaks

Avoid marathon grading sessions, which can lead to mental fatigue and reduced accuracy. Instead, break grading into more manageable batches while setting milestones for yourself. Reward yourself with short breaks — whether it’s grabbing a snack, taking a quick walk, or spending a few minutes just relaxing. These tiny resets can help keep your mind fresh, prevent burnout, and boost productivity .

3. Use a timer

Grade with a timer so you don’t end up spending more time on one particular assignment than another. Spending too long on one thing can lead to inconsistencies in grading. Using a timer or setting a per-paper time limit can help you stay on track and prevent that “tired teacher” bias from creeping in . 

4. Narrow the feedback loop

Sometimes, too much feedback can be detrimental. Students might be discouraged by an exam or paper filled with teacher marks, so help them prioritize by narrowing the focus. Highlight one to three priority areas in each assignment, whether it’s argument strength in an essay, accuracy in academic research, or problem-solving in answers. It’s not only easier for students to digest and absorb, but it’s also good for maintaining your well-being during grading sessions.

5. Leverage the right technology

The right tools can help reduce your grading time while maintaining consistency and accuracy. Use technology like tracked changes in Word to demonstrate updates, rubrics and Quickmarks in Feedback Studio to enable writing, or Gradescope for STEM assessments. Having the right technology on hand allows for quicker, more uniform grading and a more efficient grading system.

6. Respect your personal boundaries

It’s easy to lose track of time when grading, and setting clear boundaries is essential for your physical and mental well-being. If your bedtime is 10 p.m., commit to stopping work at that time. Not only does adequate rest improve cognitive function , but it also prevents burnout and helps you approach grading with a fresh perspective the next day. The short version? Don’t sleep on sleep — it’ll benefit you and your students in the long run.

7. Truly step away

When you’re not teaching or not grading, step back from work and immerse yourself in something that is personally fulfilling. The demands of academic life can make it tempting to constantly think about work, but setting aside time for personal fulfillment is just as important as professional fulfillment. Whether you pick up an old hobby, carve out time for regular exercise, or just spend time with loved ones, taking true mental breaks can make all the difference.

8. Encourage peer review

Incorporating first drafts and peer review into your coursework can not only help reduce the time spent grading — it can also foster and support students’ growth. By allowing students to receive feedback from their peers before submitting final assignments, you empower them to develop self-reliance and critical thinking . This not only saves time but also improves the overall quality of student work before it reaches your desk.

9. Design leaner, more purposeful assignments

Aim for fewer, more purposeful assignments that target knowledge instead of weekly busy work. Frequent assignments can create unnecessary grading overload for you, create burnout in students, and reduce the time for you to provide thoughtful feedback. Instead of weekly busywork, focus on designing assignments that target essential knowledge and skills. Fewer but more meaningful assessments lead to deeper student well-being and engagement while making grading more manageable for you.

Source: Turnitin

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