• Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder Cycles
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Online Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Online Therapists
    • Grief Counselors
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
    • Session Login
  • Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder Cycles
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Online Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Online Therapists
    • Grief Counselors
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
    • Session Login
Skip to content

Teacher Burnout: Symptoms, Causes, & Prevention

Published: October 27, 2021 Updated: May 16, 2022
Published: 10/27/2021 Updated: 05/16/2022
Leah Rockwell LPC Headshot
Written by:

Leah Rockwell

LPC, LCPC
Headshot of Rajy Abulhosn, MD
Reviewed by:

Rajy Abulhosn

MD
  • What Is Teacher Burnout?Definition
  • Signs of Teacher BurnoutSigns
  • Causes of Teacher BurnoutCauses
  • Ways to Prevent Teacher Burnout8 Tips
  • When to Seek Professional HelpGetting Help
  • Final Thoughts on Teacher BurnoutConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
Leah Rockwell LPC Headshot
Written by:

Leah Rockwell

LPC, LCPC
Headshot of Rajy Abulhosn, MD
Reviewed by:

Rajy Abulhosn

MD

Though a career in education has long positioned teachers for burnout, the enduring nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has made teacher burnout even more likely.1 Teachers increasingly find themselves exhausted by work, disconnected or cynical about teaching, and suffering from reduced efficacy, all hallmarks of what the World Health Organization (WHO) has referred to as “burnout syndrome.”2

You don’t need to try and cope with burnout by yourself. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

What Is Teacher Burnout?

Burnout is a state of chronic exhaustion that occurs after prolonged periods of stress. Teachers can feel this way due to the demanding nature of their job and the caregiving stress and potential for social fatigue related to jobs in education. Teacher burnout follows educators home, contributing to stress, anxiety, and sleeping issues. Ultimately, it’s the main contributor cited as the reason for leaving the teaching profession.

Teachers can learn and engage in self-care strategies to cope with teacher burnout, but systemic issues such as a perceived lack of administrative support and an emphasis on standardized testing contribute a sense of limited autonomy or control.3 Research shows that teachers with supportive administrators show higher retention rate, which speaks to the need for a comprehensive approach to burnout prevention.4

11 Signs of Teacher Burnout

A teacher experiencing burnout may feel increased irritability with colleagues and students, anxious, restless, depressed, or disconnected. They may have decreased effectiveness at planning or executing lessons, withdraw from others, or present as sarcastic or cynical in interpersonal interactions.

Here are eleven symptoms and signs of teacher burnout:

  1. Physical and mental exhaustion
  2. Sleep issues and fatigue
  3. Self-doubt or a lack of confidence
  4. Increased or decreased appetite or weight
  5. Lack of motivation or drive
  6. Feelings of ineffectiveness
  7. Anxiety (even at “high-functioning” levels)
  8. Existential dread or anxiety
  9. Cynicism and negativity about their job
  10. Irritability and emotional lability
  11. Depersonalization: not seeing the humanity in students, families, colleagues

10 Causes of Teacher Burnout

Internal factors contributing to teacher burnout include difficulty managing stress, prolonged health and safety concerns (especially related to the pandemic), and minimal breaks to attend to personal needs. External factors that increase the likelihood of teacher burnout include feeling unsupported by administrators or colleagues, preparing for testing, and communication issues.

Here are ten potential causes of teacher burnout:

  1. Poor school funding
  2. Emphasis on teacher outcomes related to standardized testing
  3. Dealing with difficult parents
  4. Difficult pupils and classroom management issues
  5. Financial stress
  6. Feeling underappreciated or undervalued
  7. Lack of autonomy
  8. Shifting expectations
  9. Unpredictable schedules
  10. Lack of respect for the profession

You don’t need struggle with feelings of burnout alone. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

8 Ways to Prevent Teacher Burnout

Preventing teacher burnout means first acknowledging that it’s happening. Begin by naming it and then learning how to deal with feeling overwhelmed. There are a variety of stress management strategies that educators can use to combat teacher burnout, as well as practices to help increase mental energy. Then, educators can engage in the teacher advocacy work that can make for systemic change in their schools or districts.

Here are eight ways to prevent teacher burnout:

1. Make Mindfulness a Daily Practice

Cultivating mindfulness, a practice that encourages people to engage in regular mental “check-ins,” can help limit symptoms of teacher burnout.5 It allows teachers to acknowledge their inner experience before they’re overwhelmed by it. During overscheduled school days in overenrolled classrooms, it can be especially difficult for teachers to have a moment to consider their own needs; however, taking a quick “mental inventories” is a step in the right direction.

2. Exercise or Physical Activity

Paying attention to one’s physical being and creating a physical outlet for stress is imperative to alleviate teacher burnout. Whether it’s a brisk walk over lunch time or a 30-minute weight workout before or after work, physical movement through exercise removes stress from the body. Teachers can even incorporate this into their routines with students, allowing for desk breaks, stretching, or yoga.

3. Create a Community

Socializing with others allows you to explore other parts of your identity or to commiserate with others who “get it.” Having both “in group” outlets (other teachers) and “out of group” outlets (people who have nothing to do with your profession) can help you create support networks and develop other parts of your identity. Build your network and rely on one another during times of stress.

4. Beware of Contagious Negativity

When creating your community, be careful of burnout contagion.6 Because humans are social beings, we are especially susceptible to emotional contagion, whether the emotions are positive or negative. Find colleagues who emanate positive emotions, and add them to your circle to help prevent additional emotional burnout. Conversely, beware of those colleagues who regularly bring down faculty morale, focusing on what is going wrong rather than what is working.

5. Set Firm Internal & External Boundaries

Set reasonable deadlines for yourself. Though adhering to a plan is good, don’t allow that plan to be so strict that you feel imprisoned by it. With parents and colleagues, set boundaries for when and how you are to be contacted. Consider creating a formal document and sharing it at the start of the year to set the tone for the type of communication you wish to have.

6. Rest & Relaxation

Because of the take-home nature of teaching, burnout can easily creep into home life. Make for clear separation between work and home by consolidating “homework” to one space within the house or during a set block of time. Though it may feel like there’s pressure to be productive at all times, take time to question whether this expectation is real or created by your own restlessness.

7. Adopt a Growth Mindset

By seeing each day as an opportunity to start over, teachers can avoid burnout. Adopting a growth mindset is an act of self-compassion that allows teachers to give themselves the same kind of grace and compassion they offer their students.7 This kind of emotional self-care can become part of a teacher’s daily routine.

8. Choose Compassion Over Empathy

Teachers are often deeply empathic people; however, when one empathizes too much with the hardships of another, the pain centers of the brain are activated.8 By maintaining a healthy level of emotional distance, we can possibly decrease the likelihood of teacher burnout. Remember, compassion activates positivity rather than pain.

When to Seek Professional Help

Feelings of low mood or persistent anxiety that last beyond a period of several weeks or are not alleviated by time away from work should be addressed with a mental health professional. You know yourself better than anyone – if you’re asking yourself, “Is it time to see a therapist?” it probably is. Consider seeing a therapist who specializes in anxiety, utilizes mindfulness based self-compassion, or engages in body-based approaches to healing burnout (e.g., sensorimotor, polyvagal theory).

Additionally, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), a type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is increasingly being utilized to work through issues related to teacher burnout. For help finding a therapist who will meet your needs, consult our directory of mental health professionals.

Final Thoughts on Teacher Burnout

Teacher burnout is often difficult to acknowledge and overcome. However, by paying careful attention to your internal experience, looking for signs of teacher burnout, learning tools to cope with stress, and engaging in self-care, you can embolden yourself to address the systemic issues related to a profession in education. Remember, you are not alone.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for referrals by the companies mentioned below.

BetterHelp Online Therapy – BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Get Started

Talkspace Online Therapy – Online therapy is convenient with Talkspace. Get therapy for as little as $69 per week, or potentially much less if you have insurance from Cigna, Optum, or UHR. Try Talkspace

Choosing Therapy’s Directory – Find an experienced therapist who is committed to your wellbeing. You can search for a therapist by specialty, availability, insurance, and affordability. Therapist profiles and introductory videos provide insight into the therapist’s personality so you find the right fit. Find a therapist today.

Mindfulness & Meditation App – Headspace is an easy way to incorporate mindfulness and meditation into your routine. See for yourself how a few minutes each day can impact your stress levels, mood, and sleep. A monthly subscription for Headspace is only $12.99 per month and comes with a 7-day free trial. Try Headspace

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Headspace

For Further Reading

  • Edutopia
  • Best Books on Burnout
  • Self-compassion.org
  • We are Teachers
  • Usable Knowledge
  • Reviews of the best mental health apps this year
  • Mental Health America
  • National Alliance on Mental Health
  • MentalHealth.gov
8 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • Educational Researcher (2021, June/July). Factors contributing to teacher burnout. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.3102/0013189X211004138

  • World Health Organization (2010, May). Burnout an “occupational phenomenon.” Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases

  • Cultural Studies of Science Education (2021, July). Well-being in initial teacher education. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11422-021-10034-y

  • Leadership and Policy in Schools (2009, January). The role of the principal in teacher retention. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15700760701817371

  • The Psychology of Education Review (2013, Autumn). Protective effects of mindfulness. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mark-Greenberg-3/publication/268146185

  • The British Psychological Society (2019). Burnout contagion. Retrieved from https://www.wilmarschaufeli.nl/publications/Schaufeli/530.pdf

  • The Professional Counselor (2017). Self-care through self-compassion. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1165683.pdf

  • The Canadian Veterinary Journal (July, 2018). Compassion does not fatigue. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6005077/

Recent Articles

Sports Psychology: What It Is & BenefitsSports psychology is a specialized area that focuses on improving athletic performance. Sport psychologists receive special training that prepares more
';
FT_How_to_Prevent_Burnout
How to Prevent Burnout: 11 TipsThere are two schools of thought on how to avoid burnout: You can change how you are managing stress more
';
10 Best Stress Management Books for 2022
10 Best Stress Management Books for 2022Stress is a natural part of life, but chronic, constant stress can cause lasting damage and be difficult to more
';
Why Can’t I Focus?
Why Can’t I Focus?Everyone feels unfocused from time to time. We may be at work and thinking about something at home or more
';
Can Stress Cause a Miscarriage?
Can Stress Cause Miscarriage?Women who experience stress during pregnancy are at higher risk of birth complications like miscarriage. Prenatal stress can also more
';
Coping With Stress During Pregnancy: 6 Ways to Stay Calm
Coping With Stress During Pregnancy: 10 Ways to Stay CalmPregnancy stress is a concern because it is linked to certain complications and can have negative effects on the more
';
Leah Rockwell LPC Headshot
Written by:

Leah Rockwell

LPC, LCPC
Headshot of Rajy Abulhosn, MD
Reviewed by:

Rajy Abulhosn

MD
  • What Is Teacher Burnout?Definition
  • Signs of Teacher BurnoutSigns
  • Causes of Teacher BurnoutCauses
  • Ways to Prevent Teacher Burnout8 Tips
  • When to Seek Professional HelpGetting Help
  • Final Thoughts on Teacher BurnoutConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
If you are in need of immediate medical help:
Medical
Emergency
911
Suicide Hotline
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Careers
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • No Surprises Act
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
Crisis Hotlines here
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
here
logo
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.
Choosing Therapy Logo
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit Cookie Settings to provide controlled consent. Cookie settings ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

We use cookies to facilitate website functionality. Also, we use third-party cookies to track your website behavior and target advertising. These cookies are stored in your browser only with your consent, and you have the choice of opting out.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non Necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Save & Accept