Always ‘On’: Why 61% of Teachers Are Stressed and What Real Wellness Looks Like

Teaching is one of the few jobs where you’re expected to be part expert, part entertainer, and part therapist-often all before lunch. Between escalating workloads, emotional triage for students, and the pressure to “do it all,” many educators are quietly burning out while still showing up with a smile. This piece exposes the hidden cost of that constant selflessness and offers practical, doable ways for school staff to protect their own well-being without abandoning the students they care so deeply about.

Understanding the Impact of Stressors on School Staff

Educational employees frequently encounter a range of stressors that can significantly affect their well-being. The multifaceted demands of teaching, managing classroom behavior, and adapting to curriculum changes contribute to high levels of stress. Many educators also report that administrative tasks, such as documentation and assessments, further compound their workload, leaving little time for rest or personal pursuits. According to a study by the American Federation of Teachers, 61% of teachers report feeling stressed "often" or "always" at work, highlighting the pervasive nature of stress in this profession¹. Additionally, the emotional labor involved in teaching can be considerable. Educators often provide emotional support to students, which can be draining. The responsibility to foster a nurturing and inclusive environment adds an emotional burden that many carry home, which can lead to burnout if not managed properly. This emotional investment, while beneficial to students, can lead educators to neglect their own mental health needs².

Selflessness in Education: A Double-Edged Sword

Educators are often driven by a deep-seated commitment to their students' success, which can lead to selfless behavior. This dedication is commendable but can result in educators prioritizing the needs of their students over their own well-being. Such selflessness can manifest in staying late to provide extra help, spending personal funds on classroom supplies, and continuously seeking ways to engage students, even at the cost of personal time³. While this altruistic approach is beneficial to students, it can have adverse effects on educators themselves. Chronic self-neglect can lead to an array of health issues, including anxiety, depression, and physical ailments. Research suggests that teachers who do not prioritize their own health are at greater risk for these conditions, which can ultimately affect their ability to teach effectively⁴.

Incorporating Wellness into Daily Routines

To combat these stressors and mitigate the effects of selflessness, educational professionals can incorporate wellness strategies into their daily routines. Mindfulness activities, for example, have been shown to reduce stress and improve mental clarity. Simple practices such as deep breathing exercises and short meditation sessions can be integrated into the classroom or personal time, providing immediate relief from stress⁵. Engaging in regular physical activities, such as yoga, can also benefit educators by enhancing physical health and mental well-being. Yoga promotes relaxation and can be a powerful tool in maintaining balance. Educators can participate in yoga classes or practice at home, tailoring the activity to fit their schedules and personal preferences⁶.

Achieving a Work-Life Balance

Establishing a healthy work-life balance is crucial for preventing burnout among educational employees. This balance can be achieved by setting clear boundaries between work and personal life. Educators should be encouraged to unplug after work hours, allowing time for relaxation and personal pursuits. This separation helps in recharging mentally and physically, ensuring that educators can be present and effective when they return to the classroom⁷. Furthermore, pursuing hobbies and interests outside of work can provide a much-needed respite from the demands of teaching. Whether it's engaging in creative activities, spending time with family, or participating in community events, these activities offer a sense of fulfillment and joy that can replenish an educator's energy and passion for teaching⁸.

Implementing a Healthy Lifestyle

Adopting a healthy lifestyle is another essential component of wellness for educators. A balanced diet, adequate sleep, and regular exercise form the foundation of physical health, which is intrinsically linked to mental well-being. School staff should be encouraged to prioritize these aspects, perhaps through wellness programs offered by their institutions⁹. Schools can support their employees by providing access to wellness resources, such as nutritional workshops, fitness classes, or mental health counseling. These initiatives can foster a supportive community where educators feel valued and empowered to take charge of their health, ultimately reflecting positively on their teaching performance and student interactions¹⁰.

Next Steps

The well-being of school staff is not a “nice-to-have”- it is the engine of every successful classroom and, ultimately, every successful student. If we want educators to keep showing up with energy, creativity, and compassion, we must stop treating their health as an afterthought and start treating it as core infrastructure. Starting today, commit to one concrete change: set a boundary, schedule a mindfulness or movement break, join or start a wellness initiative, or advocate for systemic supports in your school. Share this conversation with colleagues and administrators, and use it as a springboard to reimagine staff wellness as a shared responsibility- because when educators are well, entire school communities thrive.

Bibliography

1. American Federation of Teachers. 2015. "Quality of Worklife Survey."

2. Hakanen, Jari J., and Arnold B. Bakker. 2017. "Born and Bred to Burn Out: A Life-Course View and Reflections on Job Burnout." Journal of Occupational Health Psychology 22 (3): 354-364.

3. Farber, Barry A. 2010. "Rethinking Burnout: When Self-Care Is Not Enough." The Counseling Psychologist 38 (2): 171-180.

4. Maslach, Christina, and Michael P. Leiter. 2016. "Understanding the Burnout Experience: Recent Research and Its Implications for Psychiatry." World Psychiatry 15 (2): 103-111.

5. Kabat-Zinn, Jon. 2013. "Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness." New York: Bantam.

6. Woodyard, Catherine. 2011. "Exploring the Therapeutic Effects of Yoga and Its Ability to Increase Quality of Life." International Journal of Yoga 4 (2): 49-54.

7. Kremer, John, and Wendy McDowell. 2020. "Modern Work and the Quest for Work-Life Balance." Journal of Business Research 112: 263-273.

8. Seligman, Martin E. P. 2011. "Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being." New York: Free Press.

9. Reilly, Erin, et al. 2018. "The Effect of Health Promoting Lifestyle on the Well-being of School Staff: A Longitudinal Study." Journal of School Health 88 (10): 755-762.

10. Leiter, Michael P., and Christina Maslach. 2014. "Interventions to Prevent and Alleviate Burnout." In The Handbook of Stress and Health: A Guide to Research and Practice, edited by Cary L. Cooper and James Campbell Quick, 408-422. Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.