Teaching is one of the most fulfilling jobs in the world, but it also comes with a lot of stress. Teachers are under a lot of pressure. This can lead to stress, anxiety, and in some cases even depression, which has only gotten worse during the pandemic — 84% of teachers say that teaching is more stressful now than it was pre-pandemic.  

The fact that you must prepare every day for classes is enough stress for most teachers. Add in the pressures of teaching high-achieving students, dealing with parents and administrators, trying to balance your personal life with your professional one and you can see why it’s important to manage stress so that it doesn’t interfere with your work life or home life. You might have a student who is dealing with mental health issues of their own, which makes taking care of yourself even more important. 

Stress will not go away on its own, which means that instead of ignoring it, you should attempt to take control of it by implementing stress management strategies into your everyday life.  

Here are some of the best ways to reduce stress and anxiety as a teacher: 

  • Take a break 
  • Do something you enjoy 
  • Get enough sleep 
  • Talk to a friend or family member about your stress and anxiety, someone who will listen and not judge you for it. 
  • Take a walk in nature, even if it’s just around the block. Go outside and get some fresh air. Even just looking at green plants can help reduce stress levels. 
  • Read a book, listen to music, play games on your phone or computer (non-addictive ones).  
  • Exercise regularly 
  • Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation or guided imagery 
  • Schedule fun things in advance so that there’s something positive to look forward to 

Stress is a normal part of life, but when it gets out of hand, it can be a major contributor to anxiety. Some stressors are unavoidable, while others come from poor habits or unhealthy choices. It’s important to know what causes your stress so that you can work on managing it and not letting it overtake your life. 

The first step in managing your stress is identifying how much you have built up over time and then reducing that amount over time with good habits and healthy choices. Exercise, meditation and other techniques can help relieve some of the symptoms associated with chronic stress, such as headaches or insomnia. 

In conclusion, we would like to remind you that most of the stress is caused by yourself and not by external factors. If you manage your mind well and keep in mind that there are always ways to improve your situation, then you will be able to avoid anxiety attacks or other negative consequences from being a teacher.