From Summer Slow Days to School-Year Pauses: Finding Your Downtime

Back at school a week and I'm loving my new classes. They're enthusiastic, fresh and raring to go. But the shift from long summer evenings to the rhythm of the school timetable can feel like hitting fast-forward. Suddenly, the days of leisurely mornings and unhurried afternoons are replaced with lesson plans, marking piles and the hum of the classroom. It’s a gear change we know well as teachers and it’s easy to let personal downtime slip off the list.

But here’s the thing: our students need us to be at our best and that means building in moments of calm even when term is in full swing. Summer holidays give us big chunks of rest. Term time requires something different: micro-moments of mindfulness.

A few simple ways to create that space:

• Breathe before the next class: Two minutes with eyes closed and a few deep breaths can reset your whole afternoon.

• Step outside: Even just walking the perimeter of the school gives your mind a chance to declutter.

• Swap scrolling for scribbling: A quick colouring-in break does more than pass time, it grounds you and can even be used as a department meeting starter at the end of a very busy day.

  
  

If you’re looking for a gentle way to bring calm into the school day, the Mindfulness Colouring in Pack: Media Teacher Edition was designed with exactly this in mind. Three printable, media-themed colouring pages - from film cameras to social media icons - give you a ready-to-go, light-hearted pause button for busy teaching days. I have a few in my drawer but might pull them next department meeting for a bit of collective chill time.

Downtime might look different once September starts, but it doesn’t have to disappear. With a little intention, we can keep a sense of balance all year round.