Wellness – How to Get the Best Out of Your Break

As we step into 2026, putting value on your wellbeing is one of the most important decisions you can make. In education, where pace, pressure and emotional load are part of the role, what you choose to protect matters more than most people realise. 

Time away from the classroom or study desk isn’t a luxury. It’s how you maintain clarity, energy and steadiness so when you step back in, you’re more focused, resilient and ready for what’s next. 

In a world that often celebrates constant productivity, it’s easy to feel guilty for slowing down. Intentional breaks protect your performance, creativity and mental health, especially in a profession that asks so much of you. 

 

Why breaks matter (more than we think) 

Breaks aren’t indulgent. They’re essential. 

Research consistently shows that regular breaks: 

  • reduce stress and lower burnout risk 
  • improve focus and task performance when you return 
  • restore energy and emotional balance 

Think of your brain like a muscle without recovery, its capacity and creativity decline. Most educators recognise this feeling instantly: the mental fog, the short fuse, the exhaustion that builds when rest is postponed. 

 

Types of breaks and what helps 

Rather than doing more, wellbeing improves when breaks are intentional and simple. 

Micro-breaks (1–5 minutes) 

  • Step away from screens 
  • Stretch, breathe, reset your posture 
  • Even short pauses reduce mental fatigue and tension 

Mid-day pauses (10–20 minutes) 

  • A short walk 
  • Fresh air 
  • A calm moment without multitasking 

Educators who pause during the day report better focus and steadier energy than those who push through without stopping. 

Longer downtime (evenings, weekends, holidays) 

  • Proper disconnection matters 
  • Quality rest restores emotional and cognitive resources 
  • Even small daily rituals (15 minutes of movement or quiet) can have a lasting impact 

 

How to make breaks genuinely restorative 

Not all downtime helps in the same way. These small shifts make a difference: 

  • Reduce digital noise
    Scrolling can feel restful but often overloads attention instead of restoring it. 
  • Move gently
    Light movement boosts circulation and mental clarity, no gym required. 
  • Be clear on purpose
    Ask: Am I resting to recharge, reset, or reflect?
    Intentional rest works better than accidental rest. 
  • Let go of guilt
    Rest is not time wasted. It’s what sustains patience, creativity and care. 

 

Wellbeing is a habit, not a holiday 

Wellbeing isn’t something to “catch up on” once a year. It’s built through small, repeatable choices: permission to pause, to reset, and to look after your energy as carefully as you look after others. 

As 2026 begins, consider this your reminder: rest supports good teaching, not the other way around. 

Take what you need. Leave what you don’t. And allow yourself to truly reset. 

Related reading:
Teacher Holiday Reset Checklist – a practical, research-backed guide built from real teacher feedback to help you switch off, set boundaries and make the most of your break