This sounds ridiculous but how do you rest when you're exhausted?

[situpstraightnow]

I actually would go to the doctors if it was Covid times, because I am so, so tired. I can't sleep restfully and I feel so jittery.

I'm a teacher and school finished on the Thursday before Christmas, but I haven't come down yet. It's been an awful term with Covid, behaviour, etc.

I've got a week and a half... how can I pick myself up?

If you don't feel any better get signed off for a proper absence before next term and really rest. Whatever that means to you, being in bed, staying in, go for a swim, read or movies.
It's not worth it. I've been there and ended up seriously ill with MH following all the pressure feeling everyone seems to resent teachers but unfortunately don't understand what it's like in a too small room with 100 different unvaccinated kids breathing in it all day.
Best of luck.

Swimming is good especially under water. I do a stressful job and try to swim (even a few lengths) a couple of times a week.

If money permits, buy healthy convenience food. Such as pre-chopped veg. Make very very easy dinners like jacket potatoes or good quality fresh soup ready-made cartons or similar.

If I take it easy for the next week I think I'll be fine. We have a long weekend at the start of February, so not too long.

I've actually made a plan for tomorrow and I feel weirdly better for having it- a walk, a coffee, buying a good healthy shop and not crap, and then a gentle afternoon.

The sleepcasts on Headspace are good for getting you to relax into sleep and distracting you from anxious thoughts. It's a pay subscription but they will probably offer a free trial this time of year.

I am the same. I am a midwife and feel that my mind is like a tv on standby. It's never asleep, my body rests but I am awake for every toss and turn, and see each hour in. This started as the new rise in covid and the news was doom and gloom. I have gone back to using Headspace app to do mindfulness. Good luck and take of yourself OP

Definitely time in nature - walking for an hour a day or whatever will help you burn off some of the stress hormones.

I find when I’m really busy ‘resting’ activities (long baths, naps etc) are impossible and counter productive. When I’m wired they are torture, not a treat! You need to transition your body into relaxation, not hit it at 100.

Yoga is a great suggestion, or baking (bake bread - use your body).

You need to find a way to 'let go'. Being tired isn't always enough to inspire this. Yoga Nidra can help, or a short burst of exertion then some long slow exercises, failing that, orgasm will flood you body with relaxing hormones and encourage release?

Pp said earlier about Yoga Nidra.

I have been doing it when I feel the need for about the last 20 years and will advise anyone to have a go.
It translates as sleep Yoga. You do it lying down and concentrate on relaxing one part of your body at a time. So soothing. Their is another type which is 10 mins long and is designed to be done sitting at your desk.

don’t feel pressured to go back to work in January if you don’t feel up to it. Sounds like you could maybe do with some time off? look up burnout questionnaires and complete one and see how you score