Going back to school with a dose of teacher wellness
- Category: Behavioral Health
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If you ask teachers how they feel during the school year, "stressed" is a standard answer. While we support students as they return to school, let's also focus on teacher wellness.
Schools nurture and encourage students, helping them learn the skills and knowledge they need for a bright future. Amidst all those positives, the educational system can be challenging for teachers.
The average school year puts strain on teachers' mental health with constant stress, but it also presents hazards for their physical, social, and emotional health. We can all play a role in changing that for the better.
Putting the spotlight on teacher health and wellness
Unless you've ever been a teacher, you may have no idea about their health challenges. The National Education Association offers a list of educator health problems:
- Burnout
- Contagious illnesses
- Ergonomic issues
- Eyestrain
- Falls
- Hearing loss
- Vocal cord problems
Considering the nature of a teacher's job can help you understand how each problem can occur. Teachers often spend hours talking during the school day, for example, leading to strain on the vocal cords.
Anyone with a kid in school knows that the classroom is a haven for germs, so it's no wonder that contagious illnesses are another typical teacher wellness issue. Viruses and bacterial infections from student to student can also pass from student to teacher-and even from student to teacher to the teacher's kids.
Burnout has long been a problem for teachers, but the situation has magnified since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Stress associated with learning deficits, missed class time and other pandemic-related issues has led to an increase in burnout and other mental health struggles, leading many teachers to leave the education system.
Do these issues sound familiar? Teachers, keep reading.
Tips for staying healthy this school year
As you're setting up your classroom for a new group of students, take a few minutes to think about what you can do to support yourself, too. On an airplane, flight attendants tell you to place the oxygen mask over your face before helping others with their masks.
That same philosophy works in the classroom-teacher wellness deserves attention. Start here:
Set yourself up for success. When you're putting together your classroom, focus on ways to support your body physically. Basic supplies like wrist guards, lumbar cushions, and added lighting can help you make your room more ergonomic. You may also consider getting a footrest to support your seated position.
Sit down more often. Teachers often spend hours on their feet. While we know you can't totally change that, do your best to vary your position throughout the workday. Mix small periods of sitting in with standing and move around when you can.
Go for comfort, not style. Those new shoes might be adorable, but do they support your feet? Refer to the tip before this one, discussing how much time you spend on your feet! Choose shoes with good support and a firm tread to help keep you on your feet, even if the floor is slick.
Stand up for a work/life balance. Teachers can easily let their workday spill over into their free time. Create some boundaries-starting on day one-for when you will work and when you will not and stick to those boundaries. Your overall and mental health will thank you.
Ask for (and accept) help. Teachers can do it all, but they can't do it all at the same time! The start of the school year offers an excellent opportunity to let parents know how they can help support you and their child's classroom. Create classroom supply lists they can purchase from and ask for help with specific projects. As occasions arise during the school year, send home flyers or email parents asking for help with those.
Are you a parent wondering how you can help your child's teacher? Ask! Let the teacher know you are here to help. You can also reach out to school leaders to find ways you can support teacher wellness schoolwide or even across the community. In the end, we all benefit when teachers are supported and uplifted.
Teachers, have you had your back-to-school checkup? Your health needs a wellness check. Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider today!