Teacher stress during long holidays: here's how to lighten the load
Published on
June 30th, 2025
The long school holidays are often regarded as a time of rest and rejuvenation for teachers. School is out! Lie-ins are in! Isn’t that cause to celebrate?
…as you’ve probably guessed, the reality is a little more complex.
Teacher stress during long holidays is a serious and growing concern. With mounting evidence that many educators struggle to switch off and truly recover before the new term begins, schools are facing a burnout problem of epidemic proportions, as well as knock-on effects on recruitment, retention, and teacher wellbeing.
And because we’re coming up to the end of the school year, we’re going to explore the real causes of teacher stress during long holidays, as well as share a few of our favourite practical, uplifting strategies to help lighten the load. So you can return to school refreshed, recharged, and ready to inspire – or at least ready to tackle those exercise books again.
The reality of teacher stress during long holidays
Hands up if you’ve heard this one: “Ah, you guys have it easy – all summer off work, and all those half-terms! It must be so relaxing!”
The truth is a little… less relaxing. Recent research from the National Education Union (NEU) paints a very different picture: In a survey of over 14,000 teachers in English state schools, 31% reported that they are “always” working during the school holidays, while a further 60% said they are “often” or “sometimes” engaged in work-related tasks.
Only a tiny 9% of teachers manage to take a complete break from school duties during the summer break.
And the impact of teacher stress during long holidays goes beyond just time spent working. The same data reveals that three-quarters (75%) of teachers admit they struggle to switch off from work-related thoughts and responsibilities at home. Alarmingly, over 60% say that stress affects them more than 60% of the time, and 36% frequently cancel plans with loved ones to keep up with their workload.
Even during the holidays, 85% of teachers report working – with 30% working more than five hours and 16% working over ten hours during the break. And whilst symptoms of anxiety and exhaustion do decrease somewhat over the holidays, most teachers’ wellbeing doesn’t fully recover before the new term starts, and stress levels often spike again as the return to school approaches.
10 ways to beat teacher stress during long holidays, and find your balance
In order to beat teacher stress during long holidays, we need a sea change in the system: workload management needs to become a policy priority, and teachers need access to the resources that enable them to support students toward the grades they deserve. It’s a systemic problem, and solutions need to be top-level, not personal: no teacher is struggling during the long holidays because of a personal failing, it’s because the expectation is so high.
But until then, we’re not entirely powerless to make summer feel a little more relaxing on a personal level, either. Here are 10 tried-and-tested strategies to help tackle teacher stress during long holidays, because you deserve a break that actually feels restful.
1. Try a digital detox
Constant emails and notifications can keep teacher stress during long holidays at a pretty hearty simmer. Set clear boundaries by switching off work emails and notifications for at least part of your break: even a few days of digital silence can help your mind reset and reduce anxiety.
2. Prioritise your self-care routines
Teacher stress during long holidays often stems from neglecting personal wellbeing in favour of work. Try to use more of your time to nurture yourself: enjoy a favourite hobby, get out for a walk, or treat yourself to a relaxing bath. Small acts of self-care can have a big impact on your mood and energy levels, even if you go back to lesson planning afterwards.
3. Mindfulness and meditation
Mindfulness is a powerful antidote to teacher stress during long holidays. Even ten minutes of meditation or mindful breathing each day can help you manage anxious thoughts and promote a sense of calm. Apps like Headspace or Calm offer guided sessions tailored for busy minds – perfect for teachers seeking a moment of peace.
4. Connect with others
Isolation can make teacher stress during long holidays feel more than overwhelming. So reach out to friends, family, or even your co-workers for a chat and a coffee: although it takes a little effort to do, the benefits often outweigh the outlay.
5. Set realistic goals for school prep
It’s tempting to try to overhaul every lesson plan or classroom display during the break, but those expectations often aren’t realistic… and they’re rarely good for you, either. Instead, make a short, achievable to-do list that focuses on the essentials and gives you something visual to tick off when it’s done.
6. Create a work-free zone
Blurring the boundaries between work and home life is a key driver of teacher stress during long holidays. Eating your Weetabix and eyeing up your laptop over the table? Not great. Designate a specific area for school tasks, and keep the rest of your home as a sanctuary for relaxation, and when you leave your “work zone,” leave work behind – physically and mentally.
7. Plan for next term in a balanced way
Allocate a set time each week for September prep then stick to it: don’t try and do it as one long slog, and don’t prioritise planning over seeing friends, resting, or catching up on your favourite show. Work needs boundaries over summer
8. You’re going to hate us, but… gentle exercise.
Physical activity is a proven stress-buster, and if you’re able to move a little, it’s a great method for tackling teacher stress during long holidays. You don’t need to run a marathon: a gentle walk, a swim, or chair yoga session can lift your mood and improve your sleep quality.
9. Look for ways to lighten the load in September
Your time is precious and finite. Spend some time looking up solutions to help you prioritise whole-class activities: could timekeeping software help you make the most of your out-of-class time… or could a reading pen like C-Pen Reader 3 alleviate some of the demands on your time in the classroom?
10. Seek professional support if you need it
If teacher stress during long holidays feels unmanageable, don’t hesitate to seek help. Many schools offer access to counselling or employee assistance programmes. There’s no shame in reaching out – support is available, and taking action early can make all the difference.
Why tackling teacher stress during long holidays matters
Teacher stress during long holidays isn’t just a personal issue – it has wider implications for schools, pupils, and the profession as a whole. Chronic stress can lead to burnout, absenteeism, and even teachers leaving the profession altogether. And with record numbers of teachers considering quitting due to stress, it’s vital to address the root causes and support educators’ wellbeing in a truly holistic way.
By taking steps to manage teacher stress during long holidays, you’re not only investing in your own health and happiness, but also ensuring you can give your best to your pupils when term starts again.
And we’d like to thank teachers for all they do, too.
Teacher stress during long holidays is real, and it’s not going away on its own. But with the right strategies, a little self-compassion, and support from your community, it is possible to lighten the load.
At Scanning Pens, we’d like to thank teachers for all the work they do in educating the next generation and inspiring each and every student toward a brighter learning and working future. That’s why we’re inviting everybody to join in with our Spotlight a Teacher campaign, and nominate a teacher who…
⭐ Supports their communities
Schools are at the heart of the local area, and when they work together with the places they’re made and the people who surround them, that’s when great things happen.
⭐ Encourages creativity!
It’s not easy to bring your A-game every day, but some teachers show up with enough creativity to inspire others too!
⭐ Gives kids the best possible start
Those first few years in education are vital, and educators working in EYFS are some of the most important people in a child’s life. It’s all about creating firm foundations, so that they can go on to achieve great things.
⭐ Goes the extra mile for SEN students and inclusion
Educators who work with students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) are our superstars at Scanning Pens… but outside of the Assistive Tech world, they’re often a school’s unsung heroes. We want to hear about the SENCos who are changing the narrative for SEN learners, and supporting them to achieve their dreams.
⭐ Is an EdTech expert!
This one’s close to our hearts too. Pandemic learning loss means that students need EdTech innovations like never before. Have you got a teacher who’s pushing the boundaries of innovation, making learning accessible and inclusive for all?
⭐ Made a personal difference
They might have given you some inspirational leadership or mentoring when you started your career, stepped in with some innovations when your child’s learning journey was interrupted, or made learning algebra feel fun and accessible for the first time ever. Maybe they even inspired you to be a teacher!
How do I nominate a teacher for a Scanning Pens Spotlight?
It’s simple – there’s no form to fill in, and we won’t even make you pick up the phone! Just shoot Scanning Pens a message on whichever social media site you use the most, comment on one of our Spotlight a Teacher posts, or just drop us a line via email at socials@empoweringtech.com.
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