The mental health of staff working in education is a key concern. The statistics consistently demonstrate that. The most recent 2024 Teacher Wellbeing Index, conducted yearly by the Education Support Network, found that 78% of all school staff feel stressed, with 36% of staff experiencing burn-out. 

These are significant numbers. And while organisational and systematic resolutions are best placed to improve these, there is plenty you can do to support yourself and those around you in the meantime.

Build your Best Life 

Seems big! It really isn’t. You are already one step ahead of the game by working in education. There is good evidence around the fact that having purpose in life is one of the key indicators for wellbeing. 

‘Good teaching makes a difference in the lives of children and youth’ (McPugh, 2023)

You are off to a good start on the wellbeing stakes by having an important and meaningful career. But it is a tricky career with high stakes and unprecedented scrutiny. So what everyday choices can you make to build your wellbeing?

Form a Mentally Healthy Routine

By choosing to build healthy habits into your routine you automatically prioritise your physical and mental health. It is incredibly important to make sure you find the right balance for you. Some things to consider in your routine are:

  • Being physically active  – Book in times to do your chosen activity and stick to them. Want to walk at lunch time – put it in your diary. Swim before work – make sure you are ready the night before. If you struggle with motivation, try booking a class. 
  • Rest – recommended sleep is at least 7 hours a night (sleepcharity.org.uk). Figure out the right amount for you and be determined to get it, as often as possible. It might feel better to push through and complete that to-do list, but you will be so much more productive tomorrow if you get your sleep. 
  • Eat well – We know what a healthy and balanced diet looks like (NHS.uk), but it can be tricky to achieve, especially when you work long hours and have exhausted your decision making ability in the classroom. If you find yourself slipping into unhealthy habits, try planning your meals for the week and prepping as much as you can in advance. But don’t forget to give yourself those treats!

Set Boundaries

Despite setting up all of the above, it is so easy to get caught up in the mayhem of term time. Decide your minimum expectation for looking after you and stick to it. Be your own champion and make sure these tasks are as much a priority of your to do list as marking and planning. (educationsupport.org)

Be Kind

Choose to go into everyday with kindness. Smile at someone. Tell someone you like their hair. There is plenty of evidence that being deliberately kind improves mood and outlook. But don’t forget to be kind to yourself. Celebrate your own successes – big and small. 

If you want more tips on kindness – see our blog here. 

Create a Culture of Sharing and Caring for Mental Health 

We know that communities of support and sharing are a significant contributor to mental health outcomes. You may be fortunate enough to have a support network already, but not everyone does. And you work with young people who are still trying to build theirs. Choose to be a mental health champion and ensure your school is a safe space for people to be open and share their experiences and struggles – it’s easier than you think. 

For tips on how you could achieve this, read our blog on creating a nurturing mental health space.

But you can’t always be Happy!

True. It is really important to acknowledge that experiencing stress in manageable amounts is entirely normal. Stress can be a positive indicator that something is important to you or offers the body a boost to adjust to urgency. But recognising points of stress and putting in place strategies to manage it is key to prevent it becoming burn out. Here are some steps to help you achieve this:

Know the Early Signs of Stress that Could Lead to Burnout and Affect your Mental Health

How can you tell if the stress you are experiencing is healthy or an indicator that you are at risk of burnout? This can be really tricky as it is different for everyone, but noticing changes in the following ways (mentalhealth.org) that last for long periods of time, or begin to affect your ability to live your life either inside or outside of work, is key:

  1. You have feelings of anxiety or worry that do not go away
  2. The feeling of stress exists for prolonged periods of time
  3. You struggle to sleep
  4. You experience mood swings
  5. Your eating patterns change significantly 
  6. You experience physical changes such as headaches or fatigue

Experiences of stress are not limited to these, so pay attention to your body and mood. If something does not feel right, talk to someone. 

Talk About Mental Health

As mentioned earlier, support networks are a key component of healthy mental wellbeing. But sharing early is important. Lot’s of us invalidate how we feel. ‘It’s not that bad, I should not be feeling this way’. Recognise this? This is the point to talk about it. Share that you feel worried/ upset/ frustrated/ worn out. Talk it through with someone you trust and share that load. (mentalhealth.org.uk)

Adjust to Support Yourself

If you do find yourself in a point of stress, cut yourself some slack. Maybe this week you let yourself cut that exercise class to get those reports written. Perhaps you get yourself that take-away because parents’ evenings were exhausting. Make small accommodations to make it work. It is just for this short period of stress. You will choose to put yourself at the top of your to-do-list as soon as this short pinch point is over!

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