At least for some teachers, the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have exacerbated what were high stress levels pre-pandemic by forcing teachers to, among other things, work more hours and navigate an unfamiliar remote environment, often with frequent technical problems – states a study by Rand.org
The same study goes further on to indicate that stress was the most common reason for teachers to leave the profession. Under the unfamiliar circumstances that the pandemic presented, teachers around the globe had to adjust. Unprecedented teaching patterns, curriculum adjustments, and remote learning models propelled educators into stressful situations with additional responsibility. Bear in mind that the impact of in-person teaching is far stronger than that of online classes. In such situations, educators found themselves facing uncertainty in terms of job security and getting their point across. In line with such circumstances, further teacher shortages were expected. (Source: statesbrookings.edu) Even as the world transitions to normal, educators across the globe do not see classroom teaching as a viable career. A majority, specifically 9 and 16 % of teachers, suggested uncertainty or complete abandon in terms of a teaching career. While these statistics are concerning even for those who view teaching as a prospective career, it isn’t a completely unsure territory. As the world moves into the post-pandemic era, various avenues have opened for teachers, especially in terms of boundaryless access.
Stress management in these changed circumstances is an excellent way to address uncertainty and the effects of the pandemic on the said profession. Professionals have suggested the following techniques for teachers to help cope with the stress of the profession and the pandemic.
Ways to Reduce Stress While Being a Full-time Teacher
Besides the uncertainty that came with the pandemic, teaching is now more than ever a highly stressful profession. The following are a few different ways an educator can deal with the stress that comes with the job.
The use of different technological tools
Since the landscape of education is inevitably shifting into the digital world, teachers have the duty of familiarizing themselves with the various digital tools that could help them manage their workload and subsequently reduce stress. Time management apps, communication platforms and learning management systems (LMS) are just a few examples of the tools that modern teachers must be familiar with since those tools aim at reducing the laborious duties of a teacher.
Constant feedback loop with students
Since online learning might reduce the potency of teaching techniques due to the lack of face-to-face interactions with the students, it is important to provide constant feedback to students as well as making sure students are providing feedback to yourself. This will ensure that you, as a dedicated teacher, stay on top of your educational needs and achieve learning objectives.
Create a dedicated workplace
Since the pandemic had forced many teachers to work remotely from home, it is vital to create a dedicated area for providing lessons and completing other duties. This will help create a boundary between personal life and work thus ensuring that the stress of the job does not leak into the time dedicated to rewinding after a stressful day.
Deal with sensory overload
Children, noises, conversation, electronics- the elements causing sensory overload in a classroom are endless. If you do not acknowledge the presence of this overload and don’t deal with it the right way, you are bound to burn out sooner than later. Practicing the 4×4 technique used by Navy Seals is an excellent way to deal with the stress you feel during sessions. The right way to do so is to inhale and place your hand on the stomach while feeling it expand for four seconds. This is to be followed by exhalation for the next four seconds.
Emotional first aid
Psychologist Guy Winch describes emotional damage as something similar to getting a physical cut. He further explains how a physical cut is treated with first aid as opposed to further deepening it with the wrong protocols. Similarly, teachers who find themselves becoming stressed at the end of the day and taking home thoughts from school must find ways to deal with the emotional damage. Guy Winch Suggests finding ways to “break the patterns of a negative thought”, and these can very well be taking on hobbies or working with a therapist.
Keep in mind that stress management is a continuous process, therefore it’s critical to customize these techniques to your own requirements. In order to keep your self-care routines effective in the ever-changing world of online education, review and modify them on a regular basis.