Wellbeing for educators

Work factors that can affect your wellbeing

Wellbeing relates to all aspects of a person’s health. It’s about how a person feels, functions, and evaluates their life.

Your mental health and wellbeing exist on a continuum and can be influenced by several factors.

Work factors can include:

workload
emotional responses you may have to your work
whether you feel valued and have a sense of belonging and connection with colleagues
whether you feel as though you have a voice, for example about your role or decision-making in your service or school
career progression and access to professional development.

It’s important to acknowledge that stress you may experience in your role is not due to a personal failing or lack of ability to cope.

Supporting educator wellbeing at different levels

Self-care

Prioritising your self-care is important.

It can be helpful to cultivate self-care practices that work for you.

This Fact Sheet is for educators. It focuses on steps you can take to consider your needs and connect with your learning community.

A whole-setting approach

Some work factors that affect your wellbeing are best addressed at a whole-setting level.

Be You has a range of resources to support leaders and Action Teams to create work environments where everyone can thrive.

Consider your needs

Set boundaries

Clinical psychologist Dr Rebecca Ray says the act of setting boundaries may at times make you feel selfish. However, this is a powerful form of self-care.

Setting boundaries may include:

checking in with yourself and assessing your capacity at any given time before saying an automatic ‘yes’ to a request
remembering that saying ‘no’ now doesn’t mean saying ‘no’ permanently
practising having conversations about boundaries to build this habit
talking about your workload with your manager or cultural mentor and clarifying your role and responsibilities
setting times when you will read and respond to emails.

Setting boundaries isn’t always easy.

Learn more about having these kinds of conversations in the Be You event recording Empowered boundaries for educators and Fact Sheet Communication skills for educators.

Reflect on your professional development

Reconnecting with your sense of purpose and career goals may help to energise you.

You may like to reflect on why you became an educator and recent ‘wins,’ such as a breakthrough with a child or young person or positive feedback you’ve received.

You could also consider:

goals, areas of interest and available learning opportunities
finding a mentor through your workplace or professional networks.

Find self-care strategies that work for you

We all have different needs and ways to support our wellbeing.

Monitor your stress

Think about your own signs of stress and situations you find difficult. This can help you be proactive about managing your stress during these times.

The Be You Wellbeing Plan for Educators can help you identify your stressors and strengths, along with strategies that can work for you.

Schedule ‘time out’ for yourself

Make time for your hobbies and interests.

Nurture personal relationships

A sense of belonging and connection, in your personal and professional lives, is important for your wellbeing.

Try relaxation techniques

Consider breathing techniques, progressive relaxation or meditation to consciously relax your body and mind. Learn about mindfulness and how to practise mindfulness.

Embrace your spirituality

If you have spiritual beliefs, make time for spiritual practice.

Reach out for support

Support networks and mental health organisations can play a valuable role in your wellbeing journey.

Reaching out can open pathways to healing, connection and renewed strength.

Think about people you can talk to – trusted colleagues and friends, family members, your general practitioner (GP) or psychologist.

You can also connect with your workplace’s Employee Assistance Program, Beyond Blue, 13 YARN or another mental health service.

If you require urgent mental health support, contact Lifeline’s 24-hour counselling service on 13 11 14. If you’re in an emergency, ring 000.

Connect with your learning community

Build relationships with colleagues

Monash University research shows that strengthening relationships with your colleagues can support your wellbeing – and theirs as well.

This may include:

attending, or organising, connection activities
celebrating each other’s successes and, if possible, sharing workload and responsibilities
asking about each other’s wellbeing and ensuring people take breaks
reaching out to early career educators, casual staff and specialist educators, who may not have well-established connections with other staff
normalising conversations about mental health and help-seeking.

Respect and value diversity

Being intentionally inclusive and supportive of each other is an essential part of creating a thriving work environment.

This can support everyone to be our authentic selves at work and take pride in who we are.