Teacher Stress
"Stress is rooted in the way teaching and schools are organised.” NUT
Work-related stress is the main health and safety concern in four out of five UK schools. If unnoticed, stress can lead progressively to a decrease in performance, health injury and long-term absence from work.
A report into the scale of occupational stress in 2000 found that the groups in the UK reporting high stress (in order) were teaching, nursing, management, professionals, other education and welfare, road transport and security. In all these groups at least one in five reported high stress levels.
FOR TEACHERS IT WAS 2 in 5.
Always tired? No energy?
This is one of the first symptoms of stress
KEY CAUSES OF TEACHER STRESS
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long working hours
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excessive workload
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pressures of school inspections
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providing cover for teacher shortages and absences
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poor management
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disruptive pupil behaviour
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unnecessary bureaucracy
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low self esteem
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criticism by politicians and media
(Tackling Stress, NUT 2000)
COMMON SIGNS of TEACHER STRESS
Physical:
• headache
• insomnia
• muscle tension
• heart palpitations
• chest pains
• abdominal cramps
• nausea
• trembling
• cold extremities
• flushing or sweating
• frequent colds |
Mental:
• decrease in concentration
• memory loss
• indecisiveness
• mind racing or going blank
• confusion
• loss of sense of humour
• weepy
• insecurity
• isolation |
Emotional:
• anxiety
• nervousness
• depression
• anger
• frustration
• worry
• fear
• irritability
• impatience
• panic |
Behavioural:
• pacing
• fidgeting
• nervous habits
• increased eating
• smoking
• drinking
• crying
• yelling
• swearing
• blaming
• throwing things or hitting |
NUT Conference 2010: Delegates have unanimously condemned their growing workload which has triggered a growth in stress-related illnesses and mental health problems
NASUWT conference 2010: Teachers have warned that stress and depression are endemic within the profession - and pledged to take on headteachers who bully staff..
STRESSWORX provides workshops to help teachers understand their stressors and how to deal with them as well as offering individual support. Teachers can also learn how to tech their students how to help themselves to manage their own stress.
Whatever the cause of stress, be it at work or home, it can be dealt with quickly, easily and effectively. STRESSWORX teaches self help skills and strategies for those times of crisis and pressure.
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