Coping With Teaching Anxiety: 6 Strategies Which Will Help To Thrive

30th June 2023

Teaching is one of the professions, which is not just a job, but it has one of the most important responsibilities that is shaping the upcoming future. As the teaching profession has lots of responsibilities and challenges, it’s quite obvious that it will bring a high level of stress and anxiety to the teachers as well.

According to the survey fo the 74million.org, it has been found out that almost 61% of teachers feel stressed out from their profession.
 

Source: www.the74million.org/61-of-teachers-stressed-out-58-say-mental-health-is-not-good-in-new-national-survey

The reason for this stress can be many such as becoming a teacher who meets academic standards, challenging students and their parents, and managing the classroom properly. Teachers who have pursued courses like the International Teaching Diploma course knows the process of handling teaching anxiety.

If the stress and anxiety which teachers faced not being addressed at the right time then it could impact on both teacher's mental health and on the learning experience of the students as well.

However, there’s no need to worry, in this blog post we have curated some 5 strategies for handling teaching anxiety and stress.

So, without any further delay, let’s get started.

Impact of Teacher Anxiety on Teaching and Learning

If a teacher, who’s dealing with anxiety it will not just affects the well-being of that teacher but it will impact on that teacher’s teaching and overall learning outcomes as well. When a teacher is dealing with anxiety their ability to communicate effectively and to engage with their students efficiency is also get decreased. Their focus, attention, and comprehension capabilities will also start to diminish.

Additionally, teacher anxiety can negatively affect classroom management, as anxious teachers may have difficulty establishing clear expectations and boundaries. In the end, it will result in not so great learning environment and students will have a hard time getting engaged in the learning process.

We have known until now, what impact it could create if a teacher's anxiety is not being handled properly, now let’s get to know 5 strategies to manage and relieve teacher anxiety.

5 Strategies to Manage and Relieve teacher anxiety

1. Practice mindfulness and self-care

One of the best and most effective ways of handling teacher anxiety situations is with the help of practicing mindfulness and self-care. Mindfulness will help the teacher to ring their mind on the present and in the moment, which will help them to stay calm and reduce stress and anxiety.

There are many activities like meditation, and deep breathing exercises, or one can simply take a pause for a few moments and reflect on whatever happened on that day. Additionally, you must also have a proper sleep routine, you should eat well, and do some kind of physical activity and hobbies that gets you excited and bring joy to your life.

2. Seek support from colleagues and mentors

Another way to manage the anxiety and stress, which teachers face, is to ask and seek help from their experienced colleagues and mentors as well. They might also face the same challenges and situations from which you’re going through and can help you to cope-up with them effectively. Building a supportive network and colleagues will not just help in reducing anxiety but it will give you an opportunity of making friends.

Additionally, if you are able to find any mentor figure then you’re in luck. They can offer you valuable guidance and necessary support, which could prove to be very beneficial. They can not just help you to deal with anxiety but other teaching strategies as well to become successful in your teaching profession.

3. Practice Stress & Anxiety Reducing Strategies

There are many stress and anxiety-reducing techniques, which is highly effective, such as Progressive muscle relaxation, which helps to relax different muscle groups to release tension and promote relaxation. Another one is one of the common ones, which is deep-breathing exercise or diaphragmatic breathing, which sounds simple but very effective to reduce anxiety and stress.

You can also listen to calming music or practicing yoga, which can further reduce stress. Additionally, incorporating regular exercise into one's routine has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being.

4. Utilize Time management Strategies

Effective time management is key to reducing teacher anxiety. By prioritizing tasks and creating a schedule, teachers can better manage their workload and reduce feelings of overwhelm. Breaking down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can also help alleviate anxiety.

Utilizing technology tools, such as digital calendars or other task management apps, can further increase productivity. It is important for teachers to set realistic expectations for themselves and recognize that it is not always possible to accomplish everything in a single day. By setting boundaries and practicing time management, teachers can reduce anxiety and create a more balanced work-life.

5. Create a positive and supportive classroom environment

Creating a positive and supportive classroom environment is not only beneficial for students but can also contribute to reducing teacher anxiety. Establishing clear expectations and consistent routines can help create a sense of structure and stability in the classroom.

Creating a positive classroom culture that promotes respect, inclusivity, and support can also contribute to a more nurturing and less stressful environment. Additionally, fostering positive relationships with students and their families can help reduce anxiety by creating a sense of connection and support.

Handling teaching anxiety is necessary

Being stressed and anxiety in the teaching profession is quite obvious because teaching is not just about sharing academic knowledge with students but it also about helping the students to become the best version of themselves and teachers who have pursued courses like the International Teaching Diploma course, know it pretty well.

However, teachers who have to deal with anxiety and stress, not only will impact their well-being but will also impact the learning experience of every student as well. In this blog post, we have tried to mention some strategies which show how to cope-up with stress and anxiety successfully. Implement all the strategies and manage your anxiety and stress successfully.

Find the right course for you and try out the course. Find the right course for you and try out the course. WhatsApp us at: +66-81-262-8832. You can also mail us at act@asiancollegeofteachers.com.

Written By : Abhishek