5 ways to switch-off this Easter break:
It’s no secret that this last half term has been very busy for a number of you (Teacher Tapp., 2025), we understand that staffing issues and pupil behaviour are key factors in creating additional workload. As this Easter break is staggered, we know that a few of you break up this week and a few the following week so we thought we would compile a short list of things you could do to wind down. Winding down and switching off is absolutely essential to your wellbeing and to maintaining good mental health long term. Protect your mental health and wellbeing by being aware of the signs of burnout and stress creeping into your everyday life, symptoms can be recognised physically, emotionally, and behaviourally. Symptoms can include (but are not limited to) severe exhaustion, feeling isolated, feeling hopeless, lacking energy and broken/sporadic sleep (Mental health UK., 2025).
This is a short list that we have compiled for you of easy and fun things to try this Easter, with links to find more information/download resources. As always, if you feel the need to reach out for help our advice line is always available 02381 120010. We also have a live support session running on 29th April for anyone wishing to get additional advise and support, details on how to join can be found here: https://community.amhie.com/training/support-events/
Switch-off:
Watch a show, play or a film
If you’re feeling exhausted, there is only one thing to do and that’s sit down and unwind with a good TV show or film. There are few being released this Easter to look out for, including the new series of Doctor Who and Black Mirror, as well as films The Minecraft Movie and Death of a Unicorn. But if going out is more your style, you could try going to your local theatre, popular in the West End at the moment are War Horse and Shakespeare in Love but most smaller theatres will have touring productions and some may even be free to attend.
Links:
Must see tv this Easter: https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/must-see-tv-to-watch-easter-doctor-who-black-mirror-b1215722.html
Top 5 plays on in the west end: https://www.arts1.co.uk/top-5-plays-on-the-west-end-right-now/
Easter cinema releases: https://m.imdb.com/calendar/?region=GB&ref_=ttrel_5
Try some crafting/hobbies
Going back to an old favourite such as crochet or drawing can be very therapeutic and help you to unwind and relax in the comfort of your own home. Engaging in hobbies can increase levels of serotonin, a key hormone. This natural mood enhancer helps soothe nerves and ease stress for mental health maintenance (Durham., 2024).
Links:
Easter themed craft ideas: https://www.bakerross.co.uk/craft-ideas/category/kids/occasions/easter/
Easter crochet patterns: https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/l/crochet/crochet-patterns/crochet-patterns-by-recipient/easter-crochet-patterns?srsltid=AfmBOorXjMIQoe0eAnaMRsUZwNycxtuh3wN7GyOQWKwXdR7QeHUotYmJ
Easter knitting patterns: https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/l/knitting/knitting-patterns/knitting-patterns-for/easter-knitting-patterns?srsltid=AfmBOoqxbvFu624uYCSxTWsauWnB-HaehSr80Lw_nwILA56jFyL8_ejF
Work out or Exercise
If you like being more active (or even if you don’t) it’s no secret that regular exercise can help boost your wellbeing and mood. Physical activity can help you think, learn, problem-solve, and enjoy an emotional balance. It can improve memory and reduce anxiety or depression (CDC., 2025). There are a lot of easy activities to partake in that we are all aware of such as cycling, jogging, walking or swimming, engaging in any of these while being outside in nature will help boost your mood and wellbeing. Here’s a fun compilation of ways to exercise without realising that you are!
40 fun ways to exercise without realizing it: https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/25-ways-to-exercise-without-realizing-it/
Reading
So perhaps you are already an avid reader, and you might even have a favourite author. Taking the time to sit down (perhaps even outside if the weather’s good!) and read for a few hours will help you to unwind and potentially help with feelings of stress or anxiety (MHFA, 2018). Here’s a list of the top 10 books in the UK right now, perhaps one might take your fancy?
UK’s top 10 books right now: https://www.lovereading.co.uk/genres/lrt10/uk-top-10-books
Cooking
Getting together with friends and family is great way of boosting your mood and reducing feelings of isolation or loneliness that could be associated with burnout or stress. What better way to socialise than with food? Here’s a few Easter themed recipes that we thought might be fun to try from BBC Good Food.
Easy Easter recipes: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/easy-easter-recipes
Gardening
Last but not least, it’s Spring time and we know not everyone will have access to their own garden but if you do there a few jobs to get done that will get you outside in the fresh air. If you are not lucky enough to own your own garden, getting out to a local park or common could be a good way of accessing similar activities. Here’s a list from Gardeners World of the jobs to do in the garden for April which we thought might be useful.
What to do in April: https://www.gardenersworld.com/what-to-do-now-april/
We hope that has given you a few ideas of things to do this Easter but most important of all is that you take some time off, whatever you are doing we hope you have a great time doing it and enjoy your break!
Lily Blakeledge
The Team at AMHIE
References/further reading:
“How has this term been” Teacher Tapp March 2025 Newsletter
“Burnout” Mental Health UK 2025. https://mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout/?psafe_param=1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw47i_BhBTEiwAaJfPpsY9oiT1FUqnLVdGH1AdKVF_mxuWpFo4LpfeyC1Q8ArhlmJ_EKSxKhoCnjkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
“The Science of Hobbies: What Happens in Your Brain When You Build Models?” Gayle Durham 2024. https://accessmodels.co.uk/blogs/general-chat/the-science-of-hobbies-what-happens-in-your-brain-when-you-build-models#:~:text=Serotonin%20Boost%3A%20Engaging%20in%20hobbies,activity%20for%20mental%20health%20maintenance Accessed 3/4/2025
“Physical Activity boost brain health” CDC Jan 2025 https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity/features/boost-brain-health.html#:~:text=It%20can%20improve%20memory%20and,to%20those%20who%20are%20active. Accessed 3/4/2025
“Why Reading can be good for mental health” MHFA, 2018 https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/blog/reading-good-mental-health/ Accessed 3/4/2025
Cropley, Mark, and Lynne J. Millward. “How do individuals ‘switch‐off’ from work during leisure? A qualitative description of the unwinding process in high and low ruminators.” Leisure Studies 28.3 (2009): 333-347.
Firoozabadi, Abbas, Sjir Uitdewilligen, and Fred RH Zijlstra. “Should you switch off or stay engaged? The consequences of thinking about work on the trajectory of psychological well-being over time.” Journal of Occupational Health Psychology 23.2 (2018): 278.
Cropley, Mark. The Off Switch: Leave Work on Time, Relax Your Mind But Still Get More Done. Random House, 2015.
Bruce, Susan P. “Recognizing stress and avoiding burnout.” Currents in pharmacy Teaching and Learning 1.1 (2009): 57-64.
Hogarth, Margaret. “Avoiding burnout.” Emotion in the library workplace. Emerald Publishing Limited, 2017. 71-98.
Demerouti, Evangelia. “Strategies used by individuals to prevent burnout.” European journal of clinical investigation 45.10 (2015): 1106-1112.
“8 simple ways to switch off after work” Unitemps 2024 https://www.unitemps.com/career-advice/8-simple-ways-to-switch-off-after-work/ Accessed 3/4/2025
“101 Ultimate Ways to Chill Out and Reduce Stress” Ditch the Label 2023 https://www.ditchthelabel.org/101-ultimate-ways-chill-reduce-stress?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw47i_BhBTEiwAaJfPpqx0Ql6e2sf3Ye6UuFrLEKrhfNHpcOljR8x90VODPHNTLFoBheHzOxoCrJwQAvD_BwE Accessed 3/4/2025