Idioms: Self-Care

What is this lesson about?

This self-care idioms ESL lesson plan is designed for intermediate learners (B1–B2) who want to expand their idiomatic vocabulary while reflecting on health, balance, and lifestyle choices.
Students learn practical idioms such as turn over a new leaf, kick the habit, bite the bullet, take it one day at a time, recharge your batteries, let your hair down, get your act together, and take time out.
The lesson blends language growth with meaningful reflection, helping learners connect English to their real wellbeing routines.

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How do students learn the new language?

Learners progress through a guided, conversation-based sequence:

• A reflective self-care check-in to activate personal awareness.

• A reading text featuring idioms in real-life context.

• Matching and completion tasks to consolidate meaning and use.

• Speaking activities to apply idioms to authentic, personal situations.

• A creative “Reset Plan” and writing task for independent reflection.

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Why is this lesson useful?

By the end of the session, students can:

• Confidently use idioms connected to self-care and lifestyle change.

• Reflect on their own wellbeing and resilience.

• Practise fluency through meaningful, real-life conversation.

• Build emotional awareness while learning natural English.
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Who is it for?

Perfect for B1–B2 adult learners, especially those interested in wellbeing, motivation, and lifestyle English.
Ideal for teachers who want to combine idiomatic language with reflection, psychology, and practical self-improvement themes.

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Related lessons

Idioms: Mindset & Perspective - Premium ESL Lesson Plan (B1-B2) - Introduces six idioms that help learners express change, reflection, mindset and mental flexibility.

Idioms: Relationships & Social Life – Premium ESL Lesson Plan (B1-B2) - Introduces six idioms to help learners talk about friendships, relationships, emotional openness.

Idioms: Travel – Premium ESL Lesson Plan (B1-B2) - Introduces six idioms to help learners describe travel.

Discover practical self-care strategies in our blog post on avoiding burnout as an online ESL teacher.

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Updated: 18/10/2025