Today we’re going to talk about how to reduce and manage teacher stress and anxiety.
Teaching can be a stressful career. You have so much that you’re dealing with. You’re in front of the class and on all of the time. When you need a break, you don’t always get one as you either have students who need additional support, parents who want to talk to you and so much more.
Stress can and will lead to anxiety if you don’t deal with it in a timely manner. Anxiety can be fairly debilitating if it’s allowed to fester within us. Therefore, if you’re struggling with stress, the following steps, for the most part, can be implemented during your teaching day so that you don’t have to wait until you have a spare moment. My hope is that you can manage your stress before it worsens.
The following are five strategies you can try right away:
Actionable Steps:
#1. Note the Issue
Pinpoint exactly what’s causing your stress or anxiety and write it down. Don’t just think about it and move on because as teachers, we get really busy. If you don’t take a quick minute to put it down on paper, you may forget about it and not deal with it. The problem with this is that it will more than likely come back at a later time and bother you more than it did the first time.
#2. Assess the Stress
When you have a moment, acknowledge what triggered you.
Then, see what you can manage and what you need support with. First work on what is within your control and then ask for help from others.
For example: Is grading causing you stress? Can your students help you? Can you give them in-pair grading activities? Instead of writing feedback for every assignment, can you create a rubric? Can you set specific office hours and be firm about it with parents and students?
#3. Practice Mindfulness
This isn’t just for our children. It’s for you too. When you feel stressed out, take it as a learning opportunity for your students and practice mindfulness with them. This way, they are learning or reviewing these strategies while you take a moment to calm down your thoughts and center yourself.
I am also suggesting this because you may not have support in your class to step out and care for yourself. Sometimes, if you don’t take care of your emotions in the moment, it can lead to an anxiety attack. This way, you can manage it right away.
I enjoy deep breathing and then we dance to shake it all off. Sometimes, we journal together. What works for you? Make a note of it now so that you can practice when you need it without having to think twice about it.
#4. Embrace Support
Teaching can be a fairly isolating career. Find a support group within your teaching and non-teaching communities.
You can also join our FREE Facebook group to find the support that you need.
If you’re in despair, counselling might also be an option for you.
#5. Find Additional Support
I’ve also created a step-by-step video to walk you through managing anxiety.
Recap:
Let’s recap really quickly. Today, we looked at the following:
- We talked about the importance of reducing and managing teaching stress and anxiety.
- We looked at five actionable steps that you can use to support yourself with stress and anxiety: note the issue, assess the stress, practice mindfulness, embrace support and find additional support.
Additional Thoughts:
In the mean time, if you’re still feeling stressed out, overwhelmed and burnout, then I encourage you to check out the following:
Next Steps:
In the comments below, answer the following:
If you’d like additional resources for your classroom here are the three ways you can access them: 1) Free Resource Library; 2) At my store; 3) Systematic Plan to Super Passionate; 4) The Colourful Teaching Club.
If you found this video beneficial, would you do me a favour? Share this with your family, your friends, your loved ones, your co-workers or someone who you think could benefit from this. Thank you!
I’ll see you next Friday at 5:30pm PST.
Until I see you next time, remember to create, experience & teach from the heart.
Take care,
Charlotte
