How to Avoid Burnout as a Teacher
Burnout is something professionals in all professions experience at one point or another. Whether you’re an accountant, computer programmer, or customer service representative, you are bound to experience burnout at some time.
Burnout is something professionals in all professions experience at one point or another. Whether you’re an accountant, computer programmer, or customer service representative, you are bound to experience burnout at some time. Although every profession is susceptible to burnout, one of the many professions that is more susceptible to burnout than others is teaching. Although teachers have numerous breaks throughout the school year, they also have a lot to accomplish in such short periods of time. Teachers have the task of teaching new concepts and processes pertaining to subject matters to students on a daily basis. Teachers not only have the responsibility of instructing students, but also serving as a role model and mentor as they spend a significant amount of time during the week with students, even more than some parents. Being aware of these responsibilities, it is important that teachers prevent burnout and overcome burnout when it occurs. Below are some tips and advice on how teachers can do just that.
One of the many things teachers can do to prevent and overcome burnout is scheduling relaxation time daily for physical and mental rest. A self-care routine can definitely reduce stress and improve the quality of sleep one receives. Whether it's gardening when you come home or reading your favorite book before bed, self-care is important regardless of what field you are in because everyone needs rest. Self care doesn’t just improve your physical and mental health, it also improves your emotional well-being as well. By taking time each day to rejuvenate and focus on non-work related activity, you will be better able to handle stress throughout the week and significantly lower the chances of you experiencing burnout. It is important as a teacher to make this appointment just as important as your other responsibilities. Make sure you practice self-care daily the same way you make sure you finish grading your papers and respond to emails. Remember, you can’t help others if you aren’t taking care of yourself.
Another practice that can help teachers prevent and overcome burnout is implementing effective time management pertaining to the com
pletion of work related tasks. It is important to schedule and manage one's time so that hours aren’t wasted working on lesson plans, grading papers, tests, and assingments. One of the many ways you can reduce your stress is by organizing your workload. Set daily goals for what you want to accomplish and set a specific time frame in which you will complete such goals. By scheduling when you will complete your daily goals, you prevent yourself from overworking by giving attention to numerous tasks without stopping. Managing your time not only prevents you from overworking, it also helps you be more productive when you do work on projects. By focusing on one task at a time, you will be better equipped to complete additional tasks throughout the week and day. As mentioned before, make sure to take time for mental and physical rest. Take small breaks in-between projects to ensure you are rejuvenated and ready to complete your next task.
A third practice that can help teachers prevent and overcome burnout is seeking support from colleagues within the teaching discipline. As previously mentioned, every professional is susceptible to experiencing burnout, but who can relate to burnout as a teacher better than a teacher. Seeking social support from teachers can be extremely helpful in preventing and overcoming burnout. Teachers not only understand the stressors and responsibilities that are associated with the profession, but may also have encountered burnout themselves. Having such understanding, teachers are well equipped to empathize with other teachers who are experiencing burnout and provide the emotional and social support needed for them to rekindle their passion. Knowing that you are not alone can provide a significant amount of comfort and motivation so that you can have better days filled with joy and optisim.
The last practice that can help teachers prevent and overcome burnout is not talked about often, this is having a healthy diet. Studies have shown time and time again that a healthy diet helps stress regulation, enhances mood, and improves one’s overall physical and mental well-being. Having a healthy diet alone can make a significant difference in one's life when it comes to preventing and overcoming burnout. One of the many benefits of having a healthy diet is improved quality of sleep, which comes with a list of benefits on its own. Improved quality sleep results in better memory, productivity, and mood as well. Essentially, you want to live a healthy lifestyle as much as possible, and eating and sleeping right is part of it. While you’re at it, why not exercise a few times a week as well! Studies have shown that exercise improves stress regulation and you guessed it,the quality sleep one receives at night.The benefits you will see from implementing a healthy diet, receiving good quality sleep, and exercising will be life changing.
Although being a teacher is not easy, it is one of the most re
warding professions. Teachers can have just as much influence on a child’s life as parents. They play an instrumental role in any community by educating children and serving as role models for their academic, moral, and social development. If anyone is dedicated to the growth of the future generation, it’s teachers. Without teachers, people would fail to become future politicians, engineers, doctors, and entrepreneurs. The service teachers provide is an in
valuable asset not just to the community, but the world as a whole. I hope that implementation of these four practices will be helpful in your journey of preventing and overcoming burnout as a teacher. If necessary, don’t hesitate to seek professional help such as counseling as well. Don’t allow burnout to stop you from doing what you love, take care of yourself and continue to pursue your passion and make a difference in the world.