Stress and Burnout
Stress and Burnout
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. Burnout reduces productivity and saps your energy, leaving you feeling increasingly helpless, hopeless, cynical, and resentful. Eventually, you may feel like you have nothing more to give.
The negative effects of burnout can spill over into every area of life—including your home, work, and social life. Burnout can also cause long-term changes to your body that make you vulnerable to illness. Because of its many consequences, it’s important to deal with burnout right away.
Tips for Avoiding Burnout
Katrina Onstad, author of The Weekend Effect, argues that we live in a "cult of overwork," and being a workaholic is often celebrated as a virtue when it shouldn't be. While any profession can lead to stress and burnout, educators are particularly vulnerable due to the demands of their profession. Teachers, especially, need to be reminded that they're more than their job. While teaching does become part of your identity, you still need to nourish the other parts of yourself that demand attention and care. Below are some tips for educators and/or working parents.
*Set clear work boundaries. Try to avoid taking work home and thinking about work on your off hours. When possible, say no to added responsibilities and communicate with your supervisor.
*Find a community. Whether you feel a sense of community with other educators in the teacher’s lounge or enjoy the company of friends and family outside of work, a strong support system is necessary to help you recharge and reconnect.
*Reduce stressors in your life. Ask for help, take a night off, say no to a stressful outing. Reducing the stressors outside of work can help time at home be more restful and relaxing.
*Prioritize self-care. Regular physical activity can help you better deal with stress and can take your mind off of work. Sleep and healthy eating are also important aspects of self-care; they restore well-being and help protect your health.
*Try a relaxing activity. If you already have a hobby that relaxes you, schedule time for yourself to engage in something creative. Other relaxing activities could include going for a walk, spending time in nature, yoga, stretching, or prayer/meditation.
*Mindfulness. Mindfulness is the act of focusing on your breath flow and being intensely aware of what you are sensing and feeling at every moment, without interpretation or judgment. Cultivating mindfulness in your everyday life can increase your openness and patience with new stressors. If you are new to mindfulness, there are apps with guided meditations to help you get started, such as the Headspace App.
*Seek professional help when needed. You don’t have to face burnout alone.