The first week of the Autumn term is invariably filled with relaxed staff walking at a slower pace with smiling faces. Fast forward a few weeks and a busy school life catches up with staff and can became relentless. The wellbeing of staff can decline as the terms go on and we need to address this if we are to reverse the trend of alarming teacher attrition.
Stress affects everyone uniquely, showing up in physical, emotional, and behavioral signs. By understanding these responses, we can identify personal stress triggers and apply strategies to mitigate its effects. The first Wednesday of November is recognised as National Stress Awareness Day serving as a reminder to prioritize mental health, develop self-care habits, and adopt a mindful approach, enhancing resilience and wellbeing in a fast-paced world.
When working with different sectors, what I soon realised was that the challenge came with non-autonomous roles. The roles where you cannot elect to work from home or work flexibly, or which allow you to work outside of your normal working hours.