Surviving the Sprint: How Teachers Can Beat Burnout and Breathe Again Before Christmas Break

Right before Thanksgiving break, so many teachers, including myself, were saying the same thing:“I’m overwhelmed.” “I’m exhausted.” “I’m on the verge of burnout.” And honestly? They weren’t exaggerating. The weeks leading up to the holiday season can feel like a marathon—and then someone suddenly tells you to sprint the last mile.

Now we’re back, and there are just three weeks until Christmas break. Three weeks that can feel like three months if we don’t protect our energy, boundaries, and peace.

Burnout is real. It’s heavy. And it doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human. But you can finish these next three weeks stronger, calmer, and more grounded with some intentional shifts.

Let’s talk about how.

⭐ 1. Simplify Everything You Can

Not every lesson needs to be Pinterest-worthy or laminated.Not every craft needs glitter. Not every moment needs to be “extra.”

Ask yourself daily:“What can I simplify today?”

✔️ Use stations you’ve already created✔️ Reuse a favorite activity instead of inventing a new one✔️ Hold space for quiet independent work✔️ Choose routines over novelty—it saves energy

Give yourself permission to do “good enough,” not “perfect.”

⭐ 2. Build in Calm Moments—For You and Your Students

Kids feel the holiday energy too. They’re excited, anxious, overstimulated, and inconsistent. Calm moments help everyone reset.

Try adding:✔️ 3-minute mindful breathing breaks✔️ Soft background music during transitions✔️ A “quiet choice time” once a day✔️ Visuals or timers for predictable structure

These tiny resets create a calmer classroom and a calmer you.

⭐ 3. Protect Your Planning Time Like It’s Gold

For the next three weeks, treat your planning period like it’s a meeting with your superintendent.It’s non-negotiable.

✔️ Shut your door✔️ Don’t check emails✔️ Don’t let “just a quick question” eat your time✔️ Use this time to plan, breathe, or simply regroup

Planning time doesn’t make you selfish—it makes you sustainable.

⭐ 4. Delegate or Let It Go (Yes, Really)

Ask yourself:“Does this HAVE to be done by me?”“Does this HAVE to be done at all?”

✔️ Have students pass out materials✔️ Ask parents to cut laminating or prep crafts✔️ Allow student helpers to tidy centers✔️ Drop optional responsibilities that don’t serve you right now

Save your energy for what actually matters.

⭐ 5. Incorporate Low-Prep Engagement Activities

Let the kids have fun without extra work for you.

Ideas for the next 3 weeks:✔️ Read-aloud + simple drawing activity✔️ Digital learning stations✔️ Winter-themed brain breaks✔️ Quick STEM challenges with everyday materials✔️ Partner games or review bingo

Engagement doesn’t have to drain you.

⭐ 6. Leave Work at Work

This is one of the hardest, but also one of the most freeing.For the next three weeks, try a new rule:

“When I leave school, school stays here.”

Your evenings should be for:✨ Rest✨ Family✨ Joy✨ Quiet moments✨ Resetting your mind

Burnout grows when work leaks into every part of your life.

⭐ 7. Celebrate Yourself (and the Small Wins)

You survived the fall chaos. You showed up for kids who needed you.You made it to this point—even exhausted. That matters.

For the next three weeks, notice every small win:✔️ A student finally getting a skill✔️ A calm transition✔️ A lesson that landed✔️ An unexpected laugh✔️ A moment where you chose patience over frustration

Those little sparks are what carry us through.

🌟 Final Thoughts: You Are Not Alone

Teacher burnout is real, and many educators are feeling the weight right now. But these last three weeks don’t have to break you. They can simply be a stretch of days you move through intentionally—with more grace, calm, and boundaries.

Take it one day at a time.One class at a time.One breath at a time.

You are doing more than enough. You are already enough. And you will make it to Christmas break—stronger, steadier, and still standing.