Burnout is not uncommon amongst teachers. Daily stressors can add up and amid the pandemic of COVID-19 the perfect environment for burnout can ensue. Getting ahead of burnout relies on employing some strategies everyday to combat stress, fatigue and burnout.
Consider the following strategies:
Improve relationships with students and colleagues
Help another teacher by offering mentoring or ideas for their classes. Consider preparing workshops to help other teachers out. Any little deed can help. Offering your time to others provides a mutual benefit as it improves the feel-good factor for you and encourages others to do the same.
Improve relationships with students by becoming more engaged in the work they do. Learn something new about the activities they are interested in and share it with the class. Incorporate more fun activities such as puzzles and mind teasers, and don’t be afraid to share jokes. Creating a lighthearted atmosphere opens up communication and ultimately, the students will enjoy class work more.
Employ healthy habits
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Keep up good habits to avoid overwhelming stress from building up. It is amazing what a little exercise and healthy eating can do for our bodies. Try to incorporate at least 30 minutes of exercise per day and eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. Preparing your meals ahead of time can save you from getting takeout and making poor choices. Sleep is another non-negotiable; aim for 7-9 hours a night.
Commend yourself where possible
Identify areas of work where you succeed and recognise a job well done. It is too easy to focus on negatives such as a comment from a parent or a whining student. Instead, look at what you do as a whole and find the positives, even if it is something small. Practise gratitude where possible and watch your mindset evolve.
