Stress has become synonymous with contemporary life. The need of the hour is to acknowledge that stress is endemic and to understand how to handle it in a manner that allows for life to remain vibrant and fulfilling. Often dismissed as a ‘safe and easy job’, contemporary studies show that teaching ranks high when it comes to stress and burnout. Despite the immense responsibility it involves, a career in teaching remains financially less lucrative compared to most professions. How can a teacher prevent burnout and find more fulfillment in their lives?
Remind yourself ‘why’ you chose to become a teacher. Perhaps you were inspired by your teachers or realised that working with children gives you joy. Remembering this during times of stress can help you stay connected to the elements that make teaching a vocation and not just a ‘job’.
Plan your routine to include regular self-care. Getting enough sleep, exercising regularly (a brisk 20-minute walk or yoga), having timely meals, and quality time with family and friends should be a part of your life.
Cultivate hobbies and passions that allow you to decompress. Be it reading, crocheting, embroidery, painting, origami and paper-craft, gardening, or volunteer work, explore your talents beyond teaching
Make time for regular reflection and mindfulness practises or something that allows you to ‘press pause’ and take stock of your own needs. This can be as simple as writing a diary, using YouTube videos to learn and practise new things, or listening to soothing music.
Build a strong support system by sharing experiences, challenges, and successes with your peers. Your colleagues are most likely to empathise with the unique challenges of being a teacher. They can offer practical advice, mentor, and collaborate on various projects. Participating in group activities is also a great way to connect and bond with fellow teachers, be it through sharing recipes, potlucks, or post-school conversation.
Celebrate the small ‘wins’ of your learners so that focusing on the bigger outcomes (like test results) doesn’t feel overwhelming. Did a struggling student grasp a new concept today? Did you manage to reach a quiet student? These small achievements are important and keep your motivation high.
Use academic breaks as downtime to travel and explore new places that allow you to recharge mentally and emotionally. Teaching comes with scheduled breaks and offers time to take proper vacations.
Above all, teaching is a creative profession, so enjoy the process of creating those cool worksheets and lesson plans. Crack a joke or two every now and then, help students see the lighter side of life while building their capacity for resilience, focus, and discipline.
Supporting teachers with managing stress is something that all educational institutions should focus on by creating avenues to incorporate greater balance in their lives. Some institutions often have formal mentoring programmes and collaborative groups that allow teachers to connect with each other in more supportive ways such as holding regular mindfulness sessions, fitness activities, hobby clubs and wellness seminars. Even institutions that may not be able to formally invest in well-being processes, staff members can take the lead in organising group activities that help them relax and unwind.
No one can deny that happy teachers lead to happy learners. Education is much more than just teaching; it is about enabling generations of children to become adults who can balance their own needs and priorities and shape the world around them in healthier and happier ways.
The writer is Deputy CEO, Shiv Nadar School.
Published – February 15, 2025 03:30 pm IST