April is one of my very favorite months. The weather is neither too cold nor too hot, there are signs of spring everywhere, and it’s a perfect month for getting outside. If you’re a Teacher, April can also be a month where you need a new influx of Energy to make it through the last quarter of the school year. Here are 12 ideas!

1 – Find some new playlists on Spotify or your favorite music station. Even better – make your own playlist with songs that either pump you up or relax and calm you. It’s good to have different music available for your different energy needs throughout the day.

2 – Stay hydrated. This can be surprisingly hard to do when you’re teaching all day and don’t get frequent opportunities to use the bathroom. But the energy benefits of staying hydrated make it all worthwhile. Find a great water bottle like this one to encourage you to keep drinking that water!

3 – Keep some protein sources in your bag or desk drawer at school. If you feel your energy getting low during the day, a little hit of protein will often do the trick to pull you out of that energy slump. My favorite protein bars are Quest bars but I also like to keep packages of almonds on hand.

4 – Sit still and take ten deep breaths any time you need to recharge or relax during the day. Focus on breathing in for a count of four and exhaling for a count of four. You’ll be amazed at how much better this simple activity will make you feel.

5 – Keep a list of TV shows or movies you want to watch. Then, when you have a moment to relax with a screen, you’ll remember that great recommendation you got from a friend.

6 – Go for a walk and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. You can do this at school or when you get home from school. Just find a pretty area and start walking.

7 – Think of five things for which you can be grateful. Try to do this every single morning. Then, at the end of the day, take time to think of five good things that happened during the day. It could be a compliment someone gave you, a lesson that went well, a funny comment made by a student – whatever makes you feel happy and grateful.

8 – Try some kind of new exercise routine. Try a new class at the gym or stream some different workouts from an online service like Beachbody or Nike Training Club.

9 – Spring clean your classroom or your home. Just start with one small area (like a closet or a cabinet) and declutter as much as you can.

10 – Take some time to talk with someone you don’t usually talk to. This could be someone at school (another teacher, a teacher assistant, or other support staff, a custodian) or someone in your neighborhood. Taking the time to connect with another person makes both of you feel “seen” and builds your community.

11 – Make plans with a friend. Now that many of us are getting vaccinated against COVID and now that businesses are opening up more, can you get together for coffee or a meal? Making plans for doing something with others and having something to look forward to is key for mental health.

12 – Sort through your spring clothes. Store your fall/winter clothes or move them to the side of your closet space. Donate the clothes you won’t wear again (for whatever reason). Now take a look at what’s left. What is missing that you really need? New pants or spring blouses? Make a list of what you need and keep that list on your phone so it’s handy whenever you may be shopping.

What are your favorite springtime self-care ideas?