Over the summer, many teachers packed up their classrooms, closed their doors, and said goodbye when the end-of-day bell rang — permanently.

When schools closed across the country in recent years, teachers had to adapt quickly to remote instruction and find new ways to support students and families using distance learning and online communication.

During that chaotic period, many dedicated educators put their own well-being on hold to serve students as best they could. When your needs are consistently deprioritized, burnout can arrive quickly.

Reports show a substantial exodus from education between February 2020 and May 2022, with many public-school teachers and staff leaving the profession. If you are still in the classroom, the guidance below offers practical, evidence-informed strategies to help you manage stress, restore balance, and continue teaching with purpose.

If you’re currently in the classroom, here are some valuable tips you can use to overcome some of the issues you might be going through right now.

It’s Not All Doom & Gloom

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Education faces serious challenges now, but there are concrete strategies that can improve daily life for teachers and protect mental health. By prioritizing physical, emotional, and psychological needs, many educators rediscover the satisfaction and meaning that led them into the profession.

The pandemic highlighted the importance of self-care as an ongoing practice. Making regular time for restorative habits reduces burnout, supports emotional resilience, and helps teachers reconnect with the positive aspects of teaching.

Teacher Self-Care Strategies

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Self-care looks different for everyone. There is no single correct approach, so experiment with practices until you build a personal toolbox that works for you.

Start by revisiting the reasons you became an educator. Many teachers enter the profession to make a difference, to support young people, and to experience the rewards of helping others learn and grow. Reconnecting with that “why” can be a powerful step toward renewed motivation.

Below are practical suggestions to help you recover energy and sustain your commitment to teaching.

Make Yourself A Priority

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Teaching is demanding and deeply rewarding, but you cannot pour from an empty cup. Teachers often juggle many roles — caregiver, counselor, communicator, organizer — and that cognitive load takes a toll.

Consider introducing these changes gradually to protect your well-being:

• Be kind to yourself and acknowledge you are doing your best;
• Ask for help when you need it—there’s no shame in seeking support;
• Schedule regular time away from school to do activities that restore you;
• Keep a short daily journal to track feelings and progress;
• Read for pleasure or professional growth to refresh your perspective;
• Spend time outdoors and reconnect with nature;
• Join a teacher support group to share experiences and solutions;
• Maintain a consistent exercise routine;
• Protect sleep and establish a restful bedtime routine;
• Cultivate a positive social circle that encourages and supports you.

Sandra Hough, an education assistant, reminds us: “Teachers need to put themselves first when it comes to health and happiness. An empty vessel cannot fill anybody else’s vessel.”

John Faig, a director of technology, advises teachers to define realistic limits: “Figure out how much time you will spend on school-related activities and keep track so the job doesn’t overtake your personal life.”

Set Strong Boundaries

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High-achieving educators want to give their best, but without boundaries that generosity can lead to exhaustion and resentment. Setting clear limits is essential for long-term well-being and professional effectiveness.

Effective boundary strategies include:

• Adopt a schedule that supports your priorities;
• Commit to new habits for at least two months to make them stick;
• Learn to say no when additional tasks would overwhelm you;
• Establish technology boundaries, such as limiting email access outside work hours;
• Avoid comparing yourself to others or trying to meet every expectation;
• If asked to take on more than you can handle, explain your constraints calmly and clearly;
• Steer clear of gossip and negative influences that drain energy;
• Plan non-negotiable breaks and protect them in your calendar;
• Set specific student communication hours so you are not on call 24/7.

Jessica Weber, a curriculum specialist, observed that saying no restored her sense of control and preserved important family time. Another educator, Jordan Campbell, found that limiting work to defined hours, removing email from a phone, and declining extra tasks helped reduce burnout and improved her teaching.

Realize What’s In Your Control

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Teachers often have more autonomy than they realize. Focusing on aspects you can control helps reduce anxiety and improves daily satisfaction.

Ways to reclaim control include:

• Design lessons in ways that engage and energize you and your students, even if curriculum content is fixed;
• Disengage from workplace negativity and seek colleagues who bring constructive energy;
• Accept that some things cannot be changed and concentrate on what you can influence;
• Recognize your limits: you are one person and cannot solve every problem alone;
• Work to create a respectful, predictable classroom climate that supports learning and reduces stress.

Connect With Other Educators

Building professional connections outside your immediate school can be energizing. Collaborating with innovative educators and education technology partners can provide fresh ideas and a sense of validation.

As one educator describes, engaging in side projects—such as interviewing students about their experience with school or sharing classroom experiments—can renew purpose and bring new practices back into the classroom. Start by identifying your main sources of stress, then seek peers and networks that address those needs.

How Administrators Can Best Support Teachers

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Administrative leadership plays a critical role in teacher well-being. Leaders who see and value staff, especially when they are struggling, help create conditions for recovery and resilience.

Key leadership practices include:

• Acknowledge staff emotions and provide emotional support, not just operational directives;
• Avoid asking teachers to compartmentalize trauma or personal struggles; emotional readiness affects productivity;
• Invite teacher input into major decisions and be transparent about changes that affect workload and morale;
• Support social-emotional learning (SEL) for staff and students, recognizing that cultural change takes time and consistent effort;
• Create structures that allow gradual adoption of well-being practices and provide space for reflection after difficult events.

Leaders who prioritize staff wellness help produce healthier classrooms for students as well. Encouragement, clear communication, and collaborative problem-solving can reduce burnout and improve retention.

Other Powerful Voices To Help You

Dr. Jared Scherz — A clinical psychologist and consultant who focuses on educator wellness and schools as community hubs for well-being.

Angela Maiers — An educator and advocate for helping people recognize their value and potential, with a long history of work supporting student and teacher empowerment.

Mike Yates — A teacher and education innovator who hosts supportive discussions for educators and promotes professional connection and resilience.

Janine Lyman — An educator and mental health advocate who champions personalized learning approaches that support student mastery and teacher responsiveness.

The Learning Counsel Team — A research and media group offering context and analysis about the transition to digital curriculum and the evolving demands on educators.

It can be hard to find joy when you feel overwhelmed, but it is possible to reignite your passion for teaching. Practice regular self-care, set and maintain healthy boundaries, seek out innovative peers, and join teacher support groups to share strategies and encouragement.

You can do it.