Teacher Burnout is Different

Teachers are some of my most challenging clients because they are literally too exhausted from burnout to seek therapy.  Sometimes, it seems easier to just go to bed and not think about how hard things are than to have a conversation about it.  This is teacher burnout.  We hear it said in staff rooms, on our social media pages, and between friends, but what is it really and how is it different from regular burnout? 

🎒 ’Burnout’ is a term used in many workplaces to describe the impact of stress caused by workload, lack of work-life balance, lack of support from supervisors, unfair demands and compensation, and lack of control.

🎒 ’Teacher Burnout’ includes all of the above with the addition of overstimulation from large classes of dysregulated kids (6-7, anyone?); an incredible amount of decision making throughout the day (1500 in 6.5 hours!); constant negativity from parents, the public, and often, our administrators; an impossible amount of work to be done within paid hours and the expectation that we use our own time to get things done; stress and pressure with no end in sight as our system continues to crumble.

What are the symptoms of teacher burnout?

🎪 Emotional exhaustion and chronic fatigue, no matter how much sleep you try to get

🎪 Feelings of being overwhelmed which lead to a need to ‘brain rot’ by doom scrolling social media or anything that doesn’t require thinking

🎪 Irritability and frustration, often being quick to snap at others

🎪 Guilt over not being able to give enough of ourselves to our own family once we get home

🎪 Feeling detached from your work and resentment towards your job

🎪 Frustration over decisions that are made by others that you then have to live with for the next ten months

What can be done once a teacher is feeling these burnout symptoms?

🌿 Set boundaries.  Unapologetically and confidently say “I am not doing that today.  My plate is already full with what I choose to focus on”. Do what absolutely has to be done and that is all.  Put an auto-signature at the end of your email to let others know you will only check email during school hours, and then stick to that.

🌿 Family first, always.  Teaching is a job and a way for you to earn money so you can look after the people who really count - your family.  Work to live, not the other way around.

🌿 Self care.  I know, I know - you’ve heard this before, but it’s actually true.  Self care does not have to be a big production.  It can mean cranking the tunes in the car on the way home and screaming your favourite song at the top of your lungs (ignore the drivers beside you at the stop light).  It can look like a walk after supper to get some fresh air and exercise.  It can be as simple as ordering in because you are decision-impaired after a long day and can’t decide what to make for supper.

🌿 Most importantly, seek support from a psychotherapist, especially one who specializes in teacher burnout.  Teacher burnout is simply not the same as other burnout and requires a different approach from someone who gets it.

✅ I know you’re exhausted, but talking it through really does help.  Reach out to book an appointment with me so I can help you cope with your teacher burnout.