 | | “Nearly 25 per cent of teachers who called or emailed Teacher Support Network in 2006 said they felt stressed by the issue they were facing. Stress is the main emotional state teachers report they feel, higher than anxiety and depression, loss of confidence and motivation”, said Patrick Nash, Chief Executive of Teacher Support Network.
“Stress is a symptom, not a cause, of a problem and Teacher Support Network’s counsellors and coaches first work with teachers who contact us to find out what the underlying reasons for the stress are. Then they seek ways to resolve the issue, perhaps by referring to a union, as well as exploring methods of coping with the physical symptoms to try to prevent sickness absence or even ill-health retirement.”
“We urge teachers who are facing a stressful situation at work or at home to contact us before it escalates. Just to talk through a seemingly insignificant event or concern can really help teachers to put their situation into perspective, and to take steps to resolve problems before they get out of hand.”
Other tips from Teacher Support Network on dealing with stress, which can be obtained in more detail by reading their range of factsheets, include:
* Try listing everything that’s bothering you and then work out which things you can control and which you can’t. Ignore those you can’t influence and work on practical solutions to the others.
* It may be helpful to discuss how you’re feeling with someone else. Is there a particular colleague, friend or family member you can discuss your concerns or your situation with? They may be able to give you tips on how to reduce your stress, and sometimes just talking to someone can help you to feel better.
* Consider whether speaking to your manager and/or your union representative may benefit your situation. For example, if you are stressed because of pupil indiscipline or workload, you may be able to work with your manager or union representative to help resolve these issues.
* Taking up a physical activity may help reduce tension and allow you to feel calmer. A brisk, 20-minute walk daily, for example, will give you valuable breathing space.
* You should also take some time out for yourself each day, for example this could be by reading a book, having a bath or doing some yoga. All of these will help you to relax, sleep better, and in turn may leave you feeling better equipped to handle the pressures of your job.
Teachers' TV is making a documentary called 'How Stressed Is Your School?' A film crew has been following eight volunteers around Kings Langley School in Hertfordshire for five days. The staff were trussed up in blood pressure cuffs, pedometers and high-tech "stress vests" to measure heart and respiration rates and body temperature. Here's what the stress vest revealed:
The top five triggers of stress in the school day as measured by psychologists from Queen's university, Belfast working at King's Langley school, Hertfordshire.
1. Problems with the photocopier.
2. Confrontations with parents, either face-to-face or on the phone.
3. Dealing with difficult pupils.
4. Keeping up with paperwork, emails and phonecalls.
5. Having lessons observed.
'How stressed Is Your School' will be broadcast on Teachers' TV from Monday to Friday, February 19 to 23rd at 9pm.
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