Self-Care Kit for Tired Teachers: Stress Relief in Your Desk

When school days are busy, and you’re running on fumes, having a self-care kit in your desk can make a world of difference. These small comforts are just enough to give you a boost of energy or take something annoying off your plate.

This concept of a self-care kit is pretty new to me, but it makes so much sense to have all of your favourite things together in one spot to help with some self-love.

Having a self-care kit in your desk can be especially beneficial for anyone living with a chronic health condition or suffering from mental illnesses like anxiety or depression. Dealing with your symptoms can be exhausting, but having small things to look forward to can help ease your burden.

If you’re going to thrive as a teacher, it’s crucial for you to take the time to look after yourself, and creating your own self-care kit can help you to do this.

Self-care, like any other important task, needs to be prioritized.

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A Self-Care Kit Can Help You Be Intentional

Intentional self-care starts with one simple choice: you make it a priority. One of the most important steps toward doing this is adding small self-care actions to your daily or weekly to-do list. This ensures they don’t get pushed aside when the timetable gets messy.

You can also set a clear goal and write it down. For example, “I will look after myself this school year,” or “I will schedule self-care activities each week.” When you see it in writing, you’re more likely to follow through, even after a long day.

Teaching keeps you moving from bell to bell. However, self-care won’t happen by accident. So, you need options that fit into the minutes you actually have, including quick breaks at your desk that support your mental health, physical self-care, and emotional well-being.

A Quick Resource for Daily Support

A book I keep coming back to for fast, practical ideas is A Moment for Teachers: Self-care for Busy Teachers (101 ways for teachers to become more inspired, peaceful, and confident in 30 seconds by Alice Langholt). It’s full of small actions you can do between lessons, while the class lines up, or during a quiet moment at your desk.

Self-Care Ideas You Can Do Anywhere (Even at Your Desk)

Here are a few simple options from the book, with a focus on quick relief:

30-second meditation: Sit still and slow your breathing for 30 seconds. Next, focus on your heartbeat and how your body feels. This can also settle the room if you do it with students.
Say affirmations out loud: Speak with intention and keep it short. For example:
1. I am innovative.
2. I tap into an unlimited flow of creativity.
3. My enthusiasm is contagious.
Hug yourself: It sounds small, yet it can help. A gentle self-hug boosts self-appreciation, eases tight shoulders, and lowers stress in the moment.

These also build mindfulness during the day. As a result, they can support emotional self-care when you feel stretched thin.

A great book I’ve been using to help me with some quick daily self-care ideas is called: A Moment for Teachers: Self-care for Busy Teachers. (101 ways for teachers to become more inspired, peaceful, and confident in 30 seconds by Alice Langholt.

Why a Self-Care Kit Helps Teachers Keep Going

Now, back to the self-care kit. When you keep a self-care package ready to go, you don’t need to think. Instead, you open your self-care box and use what you need, right when you need it. That matters during a tough time, or when you just need a quick pick-me-up between classes.

A desk-friendly kit also supports preventative care. Self-care isn’t only personal care. It’s a whole approach that helps you feel steadier, think clearer, and show up as your best self.

Build a Self-Care Kit You Can Store in Your Desk

Your self-care kit should feel personal. Some teachers prefer a self-care package in a drawstring bag, while others keep a small self-care box in a drawer. Either way, aim for self-care products that are quick, calming, and easy to replace.

Here are practical ideas that work well for teachers, and also suit care packages or a small gift box:

Cozy socks for cold staffrooms and playground duty
Eye masks for a quick reset during lunch or after school
Skincare items like lip balm and hand cream, especially after constant handwashing
Nail care items like fingernail clippers and a nail file (because a scratchy fingernail can be a big distraction!)
Items to freshen up, such as dry shampoo, face or baby wipes, and hairspray
Sweet treats (individually wrapped), because a small comfort can help fast
A handwritten note to yourself with a grounding reminder for hard days
A yoga mat (stored at school if you have space) for a stretch after class or before duty

If you’re putting together care packages for a colleague, these same items work well in a self-care package or gift box. Add a handwritten note and keep it simple, because thoughtfulness matters more than price.

Remember: You’re important and ‘worthy of your own self-care’ Self-Care for Teachers.com

Keep Your Self-Care Kit Easy to Use, Even When You’re Flat Out

When work ramps up, self-care often slips first. So, I’m choosing to be more intentional and keep my self-care kit ready in my desk, with a few calming basics I can reach for straight away. That’s when the kit earns its place. It helps on the busiest days, and it supports your mental health and emotional well-being in small, steady ways.

Suggested Self-Care Kit Items

If you don’t know where to get started, I’ve included some ideas for your ‘at home’ or school self-care kit and some items that might be more mobile for your handbag or car, as well.

Pick and choose what resonates with you and what will be calming when you need it.

These are some of the favourites that I’ve found and are certainly soothing and caring. I hope you like them too 🙂

1. Soothing herbal tea.

I love the calming effects of a hot, fragrant herbal tea. If you need some suggestions for what tea to try, my current favourites are chamomile and honey, peppermint and chai green tea.

Don’t forget to include your favourite pretty cup to enhance the enjoyment of this experience too.

Related Article: Practicing Self-care to Prevent Teacher Burnout

2. A pretty journal and pen

A great way to get out your negative thoughts is to write them down. Or, you might be wanting to change to a positive mindset. Both os these can be done with gratitude journaling. It’s helping me every day to become more positive and really value the good things I have in my life. Give it a go for yourself.

Enter a pretty journal and favourite pen.

My pick: Good Days Start with Gratitude Journal

For pretty pens, K-Mart has some lovely glittery pens that are really cheap and are beautiful to write with.

Or a pen like this would be beautiful to write with:

3. Aromatherapy oils

Aromatherapy oils are an excellent natural way to change your mood and create a feeling of calm. Put your favourite oils into your basket and use with a diffuser for an all-around room lift.

You can also add your oils to roller applicators for an easy way to apply for the relief of headaches or target areas to enhance the calm in your body. (Tip: just add a few drops of both lavender and peppermint oil with Fractionated Coconut Oil for a deliciously fragrant way to lift your mood and energy).

Read my post about using 3 Essential oils to improve teacher wellbeing. It includes some practical uses to help relax after an exhausting day at school.

Aromatherapy oil for your self-care kit — Doterra is my favourite brand of Essential oils

4. Nail care items

Often I don’t seem to find the time for my nails, but I know when I do, it gives me an instant lift to my spirits.

If you’re a regular user of nail care items; like nail polish, add your favourite colours to your kit along with the polish remover and pads. Don’t forget about adding the cuticle oil and files, as well, to lift your day with a quick at-home manicure.

5. Favourite snack

I try to steer clear of sweet snacks, but if chocolate or lollies are your ‘go-to’ to give you a lift, you can add them to your kit too. I do love chocolate and my favourite type would have to be Loving Earth’s Salted Caramel flavour. (but it could be any type of chocolate from this brand).

If you’re trying to be healthy and still want to have a nibble on something, add some trail mix, nuts or something like that, for a low sugar, healthier treat.

6. A good book

I’m usually into books about self-improvement, but I think when you need a bit of TLC the book genre to read would have to be a good love story.

One of my favourite romance reads is Me Before You by Jo Jo Moyes. You’ll definitely need the tissues for this one. (It’s also been made into a movie – One of my faves!).

Add a soppy romance novel to your self-care kit

My Pick: Me Before You by Jo Jo Moyes

7. Colouring book and pencils or felt-tip pens

Do you like colouring?

If you have the patience and take enjoyment in it, colouring is a wonderful way to centre yourself and feel calmer. Colouring is a well-known mindfulness activity, which will also help with stress relief. A must-add for your kit!

My Pick: Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book by Joanna Basford

8. Positive affirmations

I really like to use affirmations to help change my mood.

I’ve been using more affirmations lately to help with my depression and anxiety and it’s really helping. I love the ones that speak self-love and appreciation.

I’ve written about how affirmations can be used for a calmer start to the day in a recent post called Mindful Mornings for Teachers. Check it out!

So add some written positive affirmations and give them a go. You’ll be surprised how they can help change your frame of mind.

9. Hand cream for your self-care kit

Hand cream or lotion is a pretty boring everyday item, but I have found that applying hand cream is a quick and easy way to help soothe your skin as well as your mood.

If you’re like me, you often forget to put moisturiser on, so if you have it ready to grab in your kit, you can give yourself a little pampering to help yourself feel good. Plus your hands with thank you!

This cocoa butter moisturising lotion is so beautifully rich and smells delicious enough to eat. I love this one!

10. Handwritten notes from friends or students

As teachers, we often receive lovely handwritten notes from our students or colleagues as a thoughtful gift, showing their appreciation for us. You know, the ones you get at the end of the school year?

Don’t throw them away! Collect them and choose your favourites to add to your self-care kit. When you’re feeling low, read them – it will give you a lovely reminder of the wonderful impact you have on people’s lives and give you all the feels.

Tip: Glue all of your precious notes into a keepsake scrapbook to cherish and remember the sentiments.

11. Headphones

Add a pair of headphones or earbuds to your self-care kit ready to switch on some of your favourite tunes and lift. that. mood.

I love to listen to upbeat music and dance around. This really lifts my spirits. Some of my favourite tracks are: You Make My Dreams Come True by Hall & Oats, Oh What a Life by American Authors and Walking on a Dream by Empire of the Sun. They’re oldies, but they get you moving, which I like.

Why don’t you make your own self-care playlist and have it ready to go?

If you’re not one for dancing, give it a try – it pumps the blood and is definitely uplifting. (I talk about how music is an important way to help reconnect with yourself for your self-care routine, in my article Practicing Self-care to Prevent Teacher Burnout.

12. Tissues for your self-care kit

Lastly, don’t forget the tissues.

If you’re feeling low, like I know you get sometimes as a teacher, tears come with the territory, so you’ll need some tissues on hand in your self-care kit.

Well, that’s it.

Use this FREE Self-Care Planner to Start Prioritizing Your Own Self-Care Needs:

This is only just a short list of self-care items. But, make your kit achievable and not too loaded up.

I’m sure there are many other things you can use to create your own self-care kit and these ideas will get you started.

‘Self-care come into my life!’ I’ve made my kit, what about you?

Let me know some of your favourite items you’ll be adding to your self-care kit. I’d love to know.

Remember you’re worth it!

Michelle x