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You walk back into school after the break, determined to carry that renewed strength into the new term. But within days of work piling up, you’re running on adrenaline again, and the spark you promised you’d protect already feels like it’s draining away.
The numbers speak for themselves: teachers work an average of 49 hours a week, 10 hours above their contracted time.
This isn’t just you. 62% report experiencing frequent job-related stress (compared to just 33% of other working adults). And the push to “hit the ground running” only accelerates the risk of burning out before the term has even found its rhythm.
Your well-being doesn’t demand hours you don’t have.
Research shows that even 30-second to 3-minute micro-practices, when incorporated into a single daily routine, reduce stress and improve focus.
Even more powerful? When adults play, their brains activate natural reward systems, releasing mood-lifting chemicals that boost creativity and provide the mental clarity.
This week, we’ll show you ways to weave micro-moments of well-being into your daily routine so you can carry energy into your classroom without running yourself dry. Let's dive in!
#368: Finding Your Balance: Projects, Burnout, and the Power of Paint
After a whirlwind term, Paul and I return to Energetic Radio with a raw and refreshing conversation on what balance really looks like when life feels full.
From back-to-back speaking tours to footy wins, we unpack the lessons learned about burnout and boundaries.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The hidden cost of overcommitting (and how to spot it sooner)
- Why side projects, big or small, are vital for energy and motivation
- A reminder that balance is never “done”; it’s a practice
And many more!
If you’ve been pushing hard and need a nudge to slow down, this episode is your reset. Expect laughter and motivation to pick up your own “paintbrush,” whatever that may look like. Tune in to this episode!
Daily Mission Cards
When the day is filled with noise and constant demands, your nervous system pays the price. This week’s mission gives you a reset you can slip into your day while students are busy with a quiz, or even a quick restroom break.
Here's how: close your eyes and focus on your breath for 10 minutes. To make this even more powerful, try the 5-4-3-2-1 Sensory Reset while you sit:
- Notice 5 things you can see.
- Notice 4 things you can hear.
- Notice 3 things you can feel (the ground, the breeze, your breath).
- Notice 2 things you can smell.
- Notice 1 thing you can taste.
This simple practice takes only a few minutes but helps calm your nervous system and significantly lower stress hormones when practised consistently.
Want more activities like this? Get your Creative Play & Movement Mission Cards and add a toolkit of movement breaks to your day!
Gratitude Tree
The most effective well-being routine happens through consistent practices integrated into the daily pauses we already have.
Start this term: keep a stack of sticky notes or scrap paper handy. Anytime you think of something you're grateful for or during a natural pause in the day (while students are settling in or during your lunch break at your desk), let your creativity flow and draw a quick leaf, jot it down, and cut it out. Then, add it to your pre-designed Gratitude Tree.
Over weeks, the tree grows, filled with real-time reminders of your positivity.
Subscribe to Jugar Life for more well-being activities that grow with you and your classroom!
Improving your overall health and wellbeing
When your stress rises, student behaviour challenges follow. It’s a cycle that drains classrooms of energy and leaves both you and your students struggling.
This session is all about prioritising your well-being. As teachers and trainers, we’re experts at caring for others, but too often, we forget to care for ourselves.
In this practical session, I will share tips, tricks, and tools to help you restore balance and protect your energy, so you can show up at your best, both inside and outside the classroom.
Watch this pre-recorded webinar and walk away with strategies that support both you and your students!
Wrapping Up Saints College Conference
What an honour to close out the Saints College Conference with over 350 staff from 8 campuses all under one roof! We explored how playful experiences spark trust, connection, and joy, not just for young people, but also for staff.
The room was buzzing with energy, laughter, and a powerful reminder that prioritising well-being through fun and shared play strengthens mental health for everyone.
A huge thank you to Saints College for bringing such an incredible community together!
Join us on this global journey of joy and connection! If you want to bring The School of Play to your community, fill out the form here ➡
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