Keep calm and stay healthy
Dr. Anamika Sharma and Dr. L.Ravithej Singh
Teaching involves significant emotional and psychological challenges. The pressures of managing a classroom, meeting diverse student needs, and adhering to administrative demands can take a toll on teachers’ mental health. The most common problems that teachers face in the classroom on a regular basis are:
a) Stress: Constant peer pressure to meet educational standards may lead to chronic stress, which is exacerbated by time constraints and high expectations from the school administration and parents. Prolonged and continuous exposure to stress eventually leads to burnout.
b) Anxiety leading to depression: The demands of teaching lead to performance and social anxiety. This coupled with a lack of support and recognition contributes to feelings of depression.
c) Impostor syndrome: Many teachers experience the impostor syndrome, a psychological pattern, where individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as frauds. Despite their qualification and success, teachers with an impostor syndrome may feel inadequate and constantly worry about their competence and performance.
Image courtesy: Anamika Sharma
d) Lack of work-life balance: The demands of teaching often extend beyond school hours. This poses a challenge for teachers to maintain a healthy work-life balance. The pressure to grade assignments, prepare lessons, and participate in school activities can encroach on personal time, leading to increased stress and decreased overall wellbeing.
e) Behavioural challenges: Managing a classroom with diverse behavioural issues of students requires patience, skill, and emotional resilience. Persistent behavioural problems in students can lead to frustration and helplessness in teachers.
f) Isolation: Teaching in under-resourced schools can mean limited interactions with colleagues, which makes it an isolated profession. Feelings of isolation can contribute to loneliness and negatively impact mental health.
These problems, therefore, require a multifaceted approach for teachers to remain happy and hold a sense of satisfaction and efficacy, wherein professional development, a proper support system, work-life balance maintenance, adequate administrative support, regular mindfulness exercises, and professional collaboration are some of the key parameters to be considered. By acknowledging and addressing these challenges, schools can create a healthier and more supportive environment for educators, ultimately benefiting both teachers and students.
Teachers need to balance many tasks, which cater to student needs while also maintaining their personal wellbeing. The mantra “keep calm and stay healthy” offers an energetic approach for teachers to fulfil their roles while remaining energized and effective. The key parameters that aid teachers and their teaching, by creating a positive and productive learning environment while maintaining calmness and freshness, are highlighted in Figure.
“Keep calm and stay healthy”, is therefore an essential mantra for teachers striving to balance the demands of their profession with their personal wellbeing. By maintaining calmness and staying energized, teachers can create a positive and dynamic learning environment that benefits them and their students. Embracing these strategies can lead to a more fulfilling and effective teaching experience, ensuring that teachers remain passionate, resilient, and inspired in their invaluable roles.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not reflect the opinions of their affiliates or employers.
Dr. Anamika Sharma and Dr. L. Ravithej Singh work at the CSIR-IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology), Hyderabad. They can be reached at anamika.aug14@gmail.com or lrsingh@iict.res.in.
