Teaching can be a stressful career. Approximately half of new teachers leave teaching during their first five years of the career. Many cite low salaries, negative student behavior and lack of administrative support as the primary reasons. When job dissatisfaction declines, burnout becomes a possibility. There are steps that can be taken by educators to prevent burnout and maintain the positive vision of their educational career.
Ways to Avoid Emotional or Mental Burnout
When the classroom becomes hectic, or feelings of overload begin, take a few minutes to breath. Inhale and exhale slowly, concentrating on moving the stomach instead of the chest. Try to make each breath last at least six seconds. This helps relieve tension and relax the body while providing a minute where thoughts are not focused on the stress.
If the teacher's room is a place of complaints and negative discussions, then find a new place to go for lunch or sit away from the main group while grading. Take a walk around the school, inside or through the hallways, and think about something positive about teaching.
Spend some time alone to think. Instead of watching, web surfing or playing a video game, take a half an hour and sit alone in a quiet room. Allow thoughts to wander. It will be boring for the first 20 minutes, but this allows the mind to start sorting what is troubling it and start examining possible solutions.
If the problem is boredom, look for a new challenge. Explore new ways to teach a unit that has become routine or play with a new idea in technology that could be integrated into a lesson.
Physical Changes Can Improve Outlook on Teaching
Food can play a significant role in improving job satisfaction. Reducing fast foods, processed snacks and caffeine in the diet has been attributed to improving health. When a person's health improves so does his or her mood, which leads to more positive attitudes towards work.
Exercise also is identified as a way to avoid burnout. Even though lunch is short take a five minute walk through the school. Participate in a sport after school or even grab a rope and jump rope at home.
Changes that Can be Addressed at School
Sometimes dissatisfaction with teaching can be turned around at school. Find a club or activity to become involved with after school hours, whether student or teacher centered. Look for other teachers who are interested in learning a new concept, such as web 2.0 or rigor, and learn together. Speak with the school nurse and start a wellness program for faculty and staff.
Though stress cannot be eliminated it can be reduced and managed. Taking some time for thinking, helping the body relax or improving health are all ways to help prevent teaching burnout. If boredom is more of the problem than stress, look for new ways to become engaged in teaching again.
References:
Van Dusen, A. Nine Ways to Prevent Job Burnout. Forbes, 2008.
Prevent Job Burnout, an interview with author Adam Khan. YouMeWorks.
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