How to Find More Energy After Teaching: The First Step

I’m writing this after one of those long teaching days. You know the ones—where your day starts with an early meeting, followed by a series of classroom “fires” to put out. Then it’s non-stop planning, thinking, and tending to every need in front of you—oh yeah, and actually teaching. By lunchtime, you finally get a break, but it comes with a side of a headache. By 2:15, you’re completely drained, but there’s still another hour before dismissal. And just when you think it’s over, the last bus doesn’t leave until six minutes before your contract time is up. So now you have about 4 ½ minutes to switch gears, put on your parent hat, and buckle up for the evening at home. Sound familiar? Maybe you’ve had one of those days recently. Or maybe you’re having them more often than you’d like to admit. Welcome to teaching, right? I get asked all the time, “How do you still have energy after school?” The truth is, I used to let teaching take all of my energy. For a long time, my family got the rest of me, instead of the best of me. I still have days like today—days where I feel completely tapped out. But here’s the thing: I’ve learned how to create more energy after school, and I’m practicing it right now. Like you, I want to do well at work and care for the kids in my classroom. But that doesn’t mean I have to give them every ounce of energy. (If you want to get started on this now, grab 56 self-care tips for the busy teacher).  In fact, I’ve learned the opposite is true. So, let’s dive into the very first step to finding more energy after a long teaching day:

The First Step to More Energy: Create Awareness

What does that mean? It means you have to recognize that this cycle of exhaustion is happening to you. Day after day, you’re pouring all of yourself into your classroom. Start by identifying the patterns that are leaving your energy bank completely depleted. Once you’re aware, you can start making changes—to your daily rhythm, your mindset, and your routines—to better support your needs.
Here’s the hard truth: It’s not sustainable to give 100% all the time.   
You can be a great teacher and still say no. You can be a great teacher and take breaks. You can be a great teacher and set boundaries. You don’t need to give every ounce of energy to your classroom to be a good teacher. Two things can be true at once. So, start by creating awareness, accepting where you are, and deciding that something needs to change.

How This Looks for Me After a Day Like Today:

For me, it starts with taking deep breaths and acknowledging my exhaustion. I ask myself why I feel this way and realize I tried to plan too much today. I was thinking too far ahead, and on top of that, we have a field trip coming up—so no wonder I’m feeling drained! I give myself space to reflect, recognize what’s going on, and then make a plan to fix it. Here’s what I’m doing right now:
  • Writing this blog post because being creative fills my cup.
  • Wearing my comfiest clothes.
  • Leaning on my husband to handle dinner tonight.
  • Planning some quality no-tech time with my daughter.
And just like that, I’ve created a plan that works for me today.
Remember, we get a clean slate tomorrow.
Another opportunity to build new habits that energize us instead of draining us. Did you like this post? Be sure to get onto my email list and catch up on Teacher Wellness Weekly – sent straight to your inbox every Saturday!