A National Education Union survey has revealed that two-thirds of English state school teachers feel stressed 60% of the time, with 75% unable to disconnect from work at home. Educators now balance heavier workloads, complex behavioural issues, and increased data analysis demands — all competing for limited time. These combined pressures make work-life balance nearly impossible.
The result? Teachers work extremely long weeks with little genuine downtime. This article examines teacher stress causes and impacts, providing practical strategies to protect wellbeing while maintaining teaching quality.
Contents
- What are the causes of teacher stress?
- The real impacts of teacher stress
- 8 tips for managing teacher stress
What are the causes of teacher stress?
Every teacher will have their own individual stress factors, depending on the environment they work in and their specific responsibilities. However, it's likely that most teachers will share some common causes of stress, such as:
1. Teacher workload
Approximately 9 out of 10 teachers in English state schools experience stress at work at least 20% of the time, if not more. Excessive marking, planning and administration all influence this level of stress.
Additionally, insufficient staff numbers, school policies that change regularly which require focus, and the potential for an inspection at any time all impact on teachers.
2. Work-life balance
Teachers are reporting that they are regularly working at home in the evenings, with 62% finishing tasks outside of work time.
Moreover, 55% say they work at the weekend and just over a third of respondents often cancel plans with family and friends to try and manage their workload.
3. High expectations
Meeting targets, managing increasingly complex behaviour in the classroom and dealing with parental expectations can all affect how teachers view their performance. This can lead to higher levels of stress as teachers may feel there are multiple demands on their time without the resources to complete tasks successfully.
4. Classroom challenges
Everything from the physical layout of a classroom to moving between rooms to teach students can impact a teacher's stress responses.
There may not be enough chairs or tables in a room to accommodate all students or enough space to ensure students can be kept calm and focused.
Equally important, there may not be enough support staff on hand to ensure all students with additional needs can access the curriculum effectively and have their needs met.
5. Student behaviour
More than 10,000 students were permanently excluded from state schools in England during the 2023-2024 academic year.
Suspensions are also on the rise, demonstrating that teachers are dealing with more complex and demanding behavioural cycles that likely impact teaching and learning.
If teachers are spending more time dealing with disruption, they will typically have less time to teach the curriculum to a standard they would like, causing more stress in an already pressurised environment.
6. Lack of support
Lack of support in the classroom, especially where there are students who need more one-to-one attention, can cause a significant amount of stress for teachers.
Plus, teachers may feel that their concerns are not able to be addressed in schools where budgets are strapped, staffing is incomplete or resources aren't in place.
The real impacts of teacher stress
If you let it, teaching could take up your entire day, 24/7. It's the kind of job that has no definite end and there's always more planning, marking or form-filling to complete. Once the working week has blurred edges, it's difficult to keep firm boundaries and have time away.
Teacher stress can have serious consequences for wellbeing and career longevity. Here are the main impacts:
Burnout
Burnout is a serious condition involving physical, mental and emotional exhaustion due to prolonged stress. This significantly affects teaching performance and goal achievement. It can include:
- Increasing rates of exhaustion in the profession
- Overwhelming feelings that can lead to repeated illnesses
- Need to take time off work to recover
Reduced job satisfaction
The constant pressure to meet numerous goals, targets and performance criteria makes it challenging for teachers to feel they're making a real difference. This can look like:
- Difficulty feeling a sense of meaningful accomplishment
- Frustration when tasks can't be 'ticked off' as complete
- Continually moving targets causing increased stress
Mental health challenges
Recent surveys confirm that workplace stress correlates with increased mental health challenges. Recognising these issues early and seeking appropriate support is essential for managing stress effectively. These challenges can include:
- Higher risk of developing depression and anxiety
- Need for appropriate support systems
- Importance of work-life boundaries for recovery
8 tips for managing teacher stress
Here are some tried and tested tips to help you manage teacher stress, helpful at any time throughout the year.
1. Prioritisation and delegation
As a teacher, you can't do everything. Prioritise tasks to maintain a healthy work environment and separate work from personal life.
- Explore workload management tips like collaborating with colleagues and simplifying homework to reduce marking.
- 'Time boxing' (allocating specific time periods for tasks) helps reduce stress and creates a sense of accomplishment. Check out these time-saving strategies to streamline your workflow.
- Managing workload effectively increases job satisfaction. For lesson materials, borrow and share resources within your networks rather than creating everything from scratch.
2. Making time for self-care
Teacher wellbeing is vital to the success of schools and students. This wellbeing guide helps you track goals to support improved physical and mental wellbeing. There’s also advice on self-care practices, such as setting up your workspace to support eye care and posture.
Visit the Teacher wellbeing and self-care hub for access to a range of wellbeing and self-care resources, including advice on simple exercises to boost feelings of wellness and calmness even on busy days.
3. Mindfulness and relaxation
Taking time out to focus on mindfulness in whatever form suits you is key to a healthier work-life balance.
Some teachers like to perform relaxation rituals, such as mindfulness chanting or taking a walk in nature. Getting outside for a small amount of time each day can make a big difference to your overall mood and wellbeing.
4. Reflection and gratitude
Reflecting on the things we can feel grateful for can transform the way you feel each day. Using a teachers’ wellbeing journal, such as this free one for Teachit Premium subscribers, can help you notice the small things that make a difference.
Packed with tips and templates to help you reflect and feel more confident in yourself, try a range of strategies for reducing stress.
5. Seeking support
Seeking support from others is a crucial step in managing teacher stress. Connect with colleagues who understand teaching pressures - many schools now have wellbeing champions or mental health first aiders specifically trained to help staff.
Don't underestimate the value of sharing with friends and family outside education. While they may not understand teaching specifics, they provide essential emotional support and perspective.
For professional help, consider your school's Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), GP referrals, or private therapy options designed to accommodate teaching schedules.
6. Developing healthy habits
Putting in place routines that support a healthier lifestyle will change how you feel about life and work. In this wellbeing guide (free to Teachit Premium subscribers), there are strategies and templates to support you in building healthy habits around eating, exercise and sleep.
7. Setting boundaries
Setting boundaries is important for any job, but it’s essential for teachers. The Teachers’ time and task management guide has lots of strategies and resources, such as how to set SMART targets around work tasks to help you decrease feelings of stress at work. This is free for Teachit Premium subscribers.
Building your resilience can support you in maintaining relationships that don’t leave you feeling overwhelmed. Advice such as focusing on influencing rather than controlling work events and building confidence through exposure should help you feel more assured.
8. Celebrating successes
Take time out to celebrate your successes, and those of your students and school, no matter how large or small. Coping with the exam season as a teacher can seem like a challenge, but pausing to reflect on how far you and your students have come as the exams take place will surely help.
Tap into these 20 ideas to improve teacher wellbeing to help you recognise your successes.
Connect with your fellow teachers and support staff to collaborate on projects and take time to congratulate yourself and others when you meet targets. This will help you feel like you’re a part of the process and what you do matters.
