Here are some commonly experienced symptoms that indicate stress that needs to be managed.
May feel exhausted even after hours of sleep because they are doing so much during the day. Alternatively, they may have trouble sleeping.
May feel like they are in survival mode each day or react with a short temper.
May avoid collaborating or sharing with other teachers.
May have an negative attitude toward your surroundings.
Physical symptoms may be headache or stomachaches.
What To Do To Prevent Burnout
Set boundaries and create a schedule. Plan to only stay late once per week or only one day on the weekend if you absolutely have to.
Set a time to unplug completely every day.
Learn to turn down extra responsibilities if you already have a full plate.
Practice self-care- eating right, getting enough sleep, exercising and making time for yourself are good steps to reduce stress.
Lean on your administrators for support- do not suffer in silence.
Take a few minutes each day to journal and reflect, listing positive events and things you are grateful for. Recall why you chose education in the first place.
Do not compare yourself to others.
Take A Deep Breath
Deep breathing exercises are effective tools to help reduce stress and anxiety. A recent research study has found that even a single session of five minutes of deep and slow breathing lowers stress and anxiety. Deep breathing increases the supply of oxygen to your brain and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a state of calmness.
Here are some breathing resources for you to use: (they would also be a good tool in the classroom)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL09Pu_9kLBHnk9suLJBnXernP4efLDZDq
