Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace: Top 5 Strategies for Educators to Combat Stress and Burnout

Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace: Top 5 Strategies for Educators to Combat Stress and Burnout

This World Mental Health Day is themed around mental health in the workplace, and with global child wellbeing statistics on a continued negative trend there has never been a greater need to protect the wellbeing of those they rely on to help them navigate childhood. The 2023 Wellbeing Index showed a clear picture that accumulative stress is critically affecting the education sector workforce with 95% of head teachers, and 78% of schoolteachers reporting feeling stressed, 36% reporting burnout and 51% of staff experiencing sleep difficulties and insomnia. The effect of this on our children is radical. As Sinead McBreaty the Chief Exec of Education Support shared, “Children and young people need to be surrounded by energised and committed teachers to give them the best chances in life.”  Simply put, surround a child by role models who themselves are suffering, and they will not thrive – it’s vital that the mental health of teachers is now prioritised.  

With stress and burnout rapidly taking its toll on teachers’ mental health, finding ways to foster resilience and wellbeing is crucial. Here are five effective strategies to help teachers overcome these challenges and cultivate a healthier workplace. 

Embrace Emotional Intelligence, Vulnerability and Connection  

Clinical Psychiatrist Dr Dan Seigel coined the phrase ‘Name it to tame it’ referring to how when we feel unpleasant feelings, our limbic brain is activated, pushing us into fight, flight, freeze or fawn modalities and this is the trigger to our ensuant behaviour. However, when we name the feelings, actually identifying and articulating them, the more logical, rational part of the brain (the prefrontal cortex) fires up, reducing the stress response, helping us calm and giving us the space to reflect and reset. Sharing or stating your feelings is important, helping you process the emotions, and find coping mechanisms more easily.  

Integrating emotional intelligence into the school culture can significantly impact educators' wellbeing. The Green School in Bali demonstrates the power of prioritising emotional intelligence. The school has implemented a curriculum that emphasises social-emotional learning alongside academic subjects from the early years. Teachers also participate in regular training sessions on emotional intelligence, enabling them to recognise and manage their own emotions while creating a supportive classroom environment. As a result, educators at Green School report lower levels of stress and burnout. Staff feel empowered to address emotional challenges in their classrooms, leading to a more positive teaching and learning experience. 

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.”

Brené Brown

It’s really important that teachers acknowledge feelings of stress and burnout instead of masking them. By openly discussing these feelings with colleagues, you create a supportive environment where vulnerability is normalised. Creating safe spaces for dialogue strengthens feelings of safety, workplace happiness and builds a sense of community. The Happy Confident Company’s FEELIT® Program creates a safe space for dialogue providing a framework for openly discussing feelings among the whole school community. With 100 nuanced feelings in the program partners schools access to almost 1,000 ready-to-go bite-sized lessons in the way of videos and activities, all of which will benefit the mental health and wellbeing of both teachers, and pupils. Partner schools also report that due to the improvement in pupil behaviour as a result of self-regulation strategies being implemented, the need for interventions has declined, along with classroom disturbances. As a result of these improvements, the teachers are reporting improved personal mental wellness.  

Mindfulness and Presence 

Being present can also help individuals regulate emotions and reduce stress. By integrating short mindfulness exercises into your daily routine, you can cultivate a sense of calm, improving both your focus and emotional resilience. Practicing mindfulness during the workday is a transformative approach that can significantly enhance overall wellbeing, helping you stay grounded, reducing feelings of overwhelm and enhancing your overall effectiveness in the classroom. 

Research indicates that even short mindfulness exercises can lead to reduced stress and improved emotional regulation so why not dedicate a few minutes at the beginning or end of the day to practice mindfulness. A simple tool such as five-finger-breathing will enable you to take a brief moment to reset. You could use the bell between lessons as a prompt to take a moment for yourself. Simple practices, like pausing to observe your surroundings or focusing on sensations during a walk will help ground you in the present moment and provide a step-change to enable you to refocus and calm.  

Prioritise Gratitude and Positive Affirmations 

Practicing gratitude is a powerful strategy for improving mental health. Research shows that cultivating a sense of gratitude can lead to increased happiness and reduced stress. Why not start a gratitude journal, jotting down three things you are grateful for each day. This simple practice encourages a shift in focus from challenges to positive aspects of your work and life. There’s a plethora of research proving that gratitude journaling turns the dial on both optimism and self-esteem, and it works for anyone, of any age. Make it part of your school day, even embrace the practice with your pupils and you will see a rapid and positive increase in joy and kindness plus a reduction in anxiety and negative self-talk.

In addition to practising gratitude, using positive affirmations can reinforce a positive mindset. Try creating affirmations that resonate with your values and goals, such as “Today I will be kind to myself and remember that I am doing the best I can”, “I am capable of inspiring my students” or “I contribute positively to my school community.” Regularly repeating these affirmations will help combat negative self-talk and foster resilience. 

Cultivate Connections 

The journey toward better mental health is not just about individual efforts; it’s about building a collective culture that values emotional wellbeing as a cornerstone of educational success. Building strong relationships with colleagues can significantly alleviate stress. As Brené Brown states, “Connection is why we’re here; it gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” Cultivating connections in the workplace is vital for teachers. Strong connections build a sense of belonging and support, crucial in high pressured environments. When teachers build meaningful relationships with colleagues, they create a collaborative atmosphere where ideas can flourish and challenges can be addressed collectively. A supportive network can provide encouragement during tough times, reducing feelings of isolation and burnout.  

Leadership teams should prioritise nurturing professional relationships through regular staff meetings or workshops allowing teachers to share strategies and provide emotional support to one another during challenging times. Creating a more collaborative learning environment strengthens connections among staff teams, providing the valuable support networks that are needed to help combat feelings of emotional isolation.  

Invest in Continued Professional Development 

Continued personal development is proven to nurture professional growth and enhance mental wellbeing. Engaging in ongoing training and learning opportunities allows you to stay updated with the latest educational practices and methodologies, boosting confidence and effectiveness in the classroom. This process not only enriches your skill set but can also help reignite a dwindling passion for teaching.

Personal development encourages self-reflection, helping identify your strengths and areas for improvement. By setting and achieving personal goals, you will experience a sense of accomplishment that positively impacts your mental health. 

Educators play a pivotal role in shaping future generations, and their mental health is paramount not only for their wellbeing but also for their pupil’s success. By embracing emotional intelligence and vulnerability, practicing gratitude and mindfulness, cultivating connections, and seeking professional development, leadership teams can create a more fulfilling and resilient workplace. As Brené Brown reminds us, “We need to share our stories and be open to the vulnerability within them.” By implementing these strategies, educators can not only reclaim their joy in teaching but also create a supportive environment for their pupils, fostering a culture of wellbeing that benefits everyone in the educational community.  

The Happy Confident Company’s vision is to create a world where every child thrives with confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence. This will only be possible when those who are their parents, carers, guides, or role models are all thriving themselves. The Happy Confident Schools Program’s tools, resources and strategies are not just there to benefit the children, its success is the ripple effect that helps the whole community thrive. In simply guiding children through the program, collaborating with them, sharing stories, creating a safe space where all feelings are valid and active listening encouraged, teachers under emotional pressure reap the benefits too. From practicing daily gratitude as a cohort, to using audio affirmations, sharing feeling check ins, to learning a wide range of coping strategies and mechanisms, it helps strengthen the mental health and wellbeing of the entire community.   

Thank you to our friends at The Happy Confident Company for sharing their blog about Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace.