Navigating Teacher Burnout: Self-Care Tips for Educators

Hello Teacher Friends,

The end of January is coming to an end soon, meaning testing season is on the way. The administration team has already filled up our planning periods with meetings about data chats, remediation plans, and target student analysis, to prepare for the end-of-the-year test season. The second semester can be quite stressful for teachers and it can be challenging for us to remember to prioritize our physical health to prevent burning out and trying to search for a new career over the summer. I really enjoy teaching, but to keep my joy for it alive, I try to be persistent with my self-care and I just wanted to share five of my favorite self-care tips to avoid teacher burnout.

What is Self-care?

Self-care is like giving yourself a warm hug when the day feels a bit chilly. It's the art of slowing down and savoring the little moments that make your heart smile. It's a delightful way to recharge your energy to better enjoy your day in the classrooms.

Here are my 5 tips to navigate teacher burnout:

One. Say it with me, BOUNDARIES!

Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. When the school day ends, allow yourself to fully detach from work-related tasks. Resist the urge to check emails or grade papers during your personal time. Creating this separation helps maintain a healthier balance, preventing burnout by ensuring you have time for personal interests and relaxation.

Two. Engage in Joyful Hobbies

Dedicate time to activities that bring you joy outside of the classroom. Whether it's reading, gardening, painting, or playing an instrument, engaging in hobbies provides a healthy escape from work-related stress. These activities not only relax your mind but also contribute to your overall well-being by nurturing your passions and interests. I recently picked up digital art drawing and embroidery stitching, which helps me clear my mind until I end up stressing about how my lines are uneven, but it's just nice to stress about other hobbies outside the classroom.

Three. Celebrate Small Victories

Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Teaching can be demanding, and it's easy to focus on what's left to do. Take a moment each day to recognize what you've accomplished. At the end of the week or sometimes twice a week, I like to reflect on my teaching day and jot down a few things I'm thankful for. This way I can focus on why I became a teacher, therefore I can continue to have a more optimistic outlook on this stressful career.

Four. Connect with Colleagues

Foster positive relationships with fellow teachers. Sharing experiences, venting when needed, and collaborating on ideas can create a supportive work environment that helps alleviate stress. We teachers need to support each other in the good times and the bad, and sometimes I like to find the closest teacher available to laugh about what a student just said. This makes it feel less lonely and burdensome when you realize that we are all struggling at the end of the school day.

Five. Mindful Exercises

Practice simple mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing or quick meditation, to bring focus and calmness. Taking a few minutes to center yourself can make a significant difference in managing stress throughout the day. If meditating isn't your thing, then try other mindful exercises. Whether it's a brisk walk, a workout session, or yoga, exercise is a powerful stress reliever and mood booster that can help prevent burnout.

Recap of the 5 tips to avoid Teacher Burnout

Set boundaries for personal time. It's okay to not lesson plan on the weekend, especially on Sunday.
Find a hobby that you can stress about and challenge your brain to learn a new skill.
Celebrate small victories you have in the classroom once a week, and spend time reflecting on what you are grateful for as a teacher.
Make friends at work, you don't have to hangout outside of work, but it is just nice to share the burden of teaching with others.
Go for a walk, or meditate, or do yoga, or kickboxing or lay on the couch with the face mask if you desire. Just have a moment to refresh your mind.

I hate seeing teachers leave the field, so I hope these tips helped you continue your teaching career. Until next time~