#85 School’s Out, But You Can’t Shut Off

Every June when I finally packed up my classroom, turned in my keys, and walked out the front doors for the last time that school year, I expected the stress to instantly melt away.

This is where you’d hear the birds chirping, the ice clink in my cold latte, and my flip flops slapping the soles of my feet, but what really happened?

I got home, flopped on the couch, and stared at the TV like I didn’t even know how to be. My body was still in go-mode. I was still thinking about emails I forgot to send, students I worried about, and whether I left something important in my desk drawer.

And instead of breathing easier, I felt like I couldn’t exhale at all.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the thing no one tells educators and parents: just because the calendar says “break” doesn’t mean your nervous system gets the memo. We’ve just spent 10 months in a performance loop of multitasking, caregiving, solving, stretching, and worrying. That energy doesn't just disappear with the last school bell.

And that wired-but-tired feeling isn’t a personal failure. It’s a biological response.

Your body is still running on the same survival fuel that got you through the year. But summer is your chance to reset. To regulate now, so you can truly relax later.

And you already know the tool I love for this. Let’s say it together…
 

Tapping!

It’s quick.

It’s research-based.

It’s free.

And it doesn’t require a plane ticket or a margarita (although no judgment if you’re packing both).

Tapping is your nervous system’s off switch, and that’s why today, we’re talking about how to help your body catch up with the fact that school’s out, the year is done, and it’s finally safe to slow down.

So let’s dive into your Summer EFT Reset, a gentle, powerful way to unwind the tension, settle your system, and create space for the rest and joy you deserve.

The Problem: Your Body’s Still in the Classroom

Even if your calendar says “summer,” your body doesn’t know it yet.
That’s because cortisol doesn’t shut off with the last bell.
For 10 months, your brain’s been trained to respond, react, redirect, reassure, and repeat on loop.

You’ve been pivoting every moment of every day for almost an entire year.

Now that the noise has stopped, your body finally has space to process what it’s been holding. Which is exactly why rest feels hard at first, and why it can take until after the Fourth of July to stop reacting like Pavlov’s dog to every ding, buzz, or “Mommmm!”
 

The Solution: Tap to Signal “You’re Safe Now”

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) uses gentle tapping on acupressure points to send calming signals to the brain.
 

It lowers cortisol, regulates your nervous system, and brings you back into the present.

You don’t need a quiet house or a fancy setup.
You just need 5 minutes, your fingertips, and a willingness to breathe.

Try This: “End-of-Year Nervous System Reset” Tapping Script

Side of Hand:
Even though I can’t seem to relax, I accept how I feel.
Even though I’m still holding the stress of the year, I permit myself to let go.
Even though I feel on edge, I choose to be calm now.

Eyebrow: It’s over, but my body doesn’t feel it yet.
Side of Eye: I’m still holding tension.
Under Eye: I still feel like I have to do.
Under Nose: It’s hard to slow down.
Chin: This is so hard!
Collarbone: Can I permit myself to release this feeling?
Under Arm: Can I allow myself to rest now?
Top of Head: My nervous system is shot

Repeat 2–3 rounds. Then pause, place your hands over your heart, and breathe.

Why This Matters: Because September Will  Come Again

When you practice nervous system regulation now, you're not just healing the past year, you’re preparing for the next.

You're teaching your body how to stay calm before the stress hits.
You’re stacking habits that carry into your classroom, your home, and your heart.

I've created something special for you!! 👇

This July, I’m inviting you to join me for the Calm & Cool Summer Reset - a free, 4-week summer series for families and educators who are ready to stop running on stress and start creating a routine that supports your nervous system.

🧭 Each week, we’ll walk through a simple, science-backed framework starting with grounding, then learning how to maintain, reset, and wind down, so by August, you’re not just back to school...

You’re back to you.

You’ll get:

✨ Daily 5-minute micro-practices
✨Gentle breathwork, EFT, affirmations
✨Weekly guidance straight to your calendar

By the end of July, participants will:

• Have a 4-part daily rhythm that supports learning and lowers overwhelm.
  
  
• Understand how to shift from stress to calm in real-time — and teach their kids to do the same.
  
  

Feel more present, connected, and confident heading into back-to-school season.
 

No stress. No pressure. Just small, powerful shifts to help you carry your calm into the classroom, and beyond.

🧡 Sign up now and let’s reset together.
Your peace is your power. And it starts here.

Because the school year shouldn’t start in survival mode. Go to shiftforwellness.com/summerreset and I’ll meet you there in July!

If you've got some stories to share or questions to ask, I'd love to hear them. Your insights and experiences might just be the spark that another parent needs to hear. Leave a comment or DM me on Instagram at @jenncaputo because when we lift each other up, we all grow wiser.

Remember, it's not about being perfect. It's about being easy with the practice.