For a great many of us, work is an all-consuming part of our lives. Our daily routines are set by it, our sense of purpose and, sometimes, our identities are shaped by it; it can even form a central part of our social lives, both in and out of school.

But what happens when it all comes on top? What are the consequences for our mental health, when we find ourselves suddenly out of work and that daily routine, particularly for an extended period of time? Certainly, work-related stress can have a major impact on our mental and physical welfare and wellbeing.

The first signs of trouble

Classic signs of work-related stress and emotional health difficulties include low self-esteem, increased fatigue, disturbed sleep patterns and even insomnia, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, depression, greater irritability, muscle tension, headaches and even social withdrawal.

So, why do educators experience work-related issues?

As an education professional, it’s so easy to feel swamped these days; teachers, senior managers, school staff and leaders everywhere are constantly spinning so many different plates with regard to curriculum and the increasingly diverse pupils they teach, and dealing with more and more attendant challenges and pressures, including Ofsted inspections and exams.

This, along with job insecurity, is a typical cause of work-related stress and, when these pressures begin to mount up, it can become increasingly difficult for even the most resilient educator to cope. Increased workloads conversely – and almost inevitably – result in a significant drop in our productivity and, in turn, pose a threat to our mental and physical wellbeing.

This perennial problem becomes even more marked when our jobs – and often – our professional and personal identities are wrested from us. Becoming and being unemployed brings with it many different anxieties, from short-term financial worries, mortgage or rental issues and, of course, longer-term professional uncertainties.

For many of us, unemployment represents rejection at its most acute, and it does an excellent job at undermining our self-confidence, stripping our self-esteem and, in turn, hampering our job seeking and overall productivity.

Dealing with worries at work?

Professional burnout happens to the best of us. It certainly isn’t anything to be ashamed of and, more importantly, ignored. It’s vital that we strive, wherever possible, to maintain at least a semblance of a work-life balance; to switch off in the evenings and look after our physical and mental wellbeing. The following tips often work for us here in the Moxi office. Try them for yourself:

  • Plan your holidays well in advance, and make sure you do the things you enjoy when not in the classroom. It doesn’t have to be a full-blown vacation; just a quite weekend away in the country, a short break at the coast, or even just some quality time spent in your own garden… they all do a sterling job when it comes to relaxing our minds and re-charging our bodies.
  • Take a moment to relax your mind and disconnect from school. Catch up on some reading (unrelated to education, of course), indulge yourself with a long hot bath and a glass – or two – of your favourite tipple.
  • Maintain a clear and healthy work-life balance. Re-discover your passions, your interests and hobbies. There’s so much more to life than our jobs. Remember the old adage, “work to live, not live to work”.
  • Eat well – it helps preserve your energy levels and keeps your mind – and body – active.
  • Don’t neglect your social life. Make the time to meet and speak with your family and friends, whenever you can. Just a simple chat with someone you know, love and trust can be a massive shot in the arm when the going gets tough.
  • If self-help fails to curb your work-related stresses and anxieties, then seek advice from your GP.

 

Take control of your future

If you’ve recently lost your job, or you’re finding it difficult to get your first big break in education following training or study, then taking care of your mental and physical wellbeing is absolutely vital… it helps you put things into perspective a little better, energise your job searches and stay alert to new professional opportunities.

  • Maintain your self-discipline and your daily routines. Get up each morning with a positive approach to securing a new role. Contact your local JobCentre Plus, update your CV and seek professional guidance from people who understand your situation and can help you back into the workplace. Remember, I’m always available on 0300 303 4414 if you just want a friendly chat and some impartial advice about your next career move.
  • Look after number one. Searching for your next role in education can be a daunting and draining task, so make time for yourself; go for a walk; do something you enjoy; most importantly, remember that your situation is only temporary, and it’s essential you keep body and soul together in preparation for your return to the workplace.

 

The importance of good mental health

We take mental health and physical wellbeing very seriously, here at Moxi Recruitment. We provide our staff with ongoing professional, medical and pastoral support, helping them to address, manage and overcome any issues they may be experiencing, to maintain their productivity and preserve their all-important work-life balance.

Outside of work mode, we’re a pretty active bunch here at Moxi, and always prioritise physical exercise. As the evenings get lighter (and warmer), you’ll almost certainly see me running around Salford Quays at some point during my week… it’s something I love and it also helps me relax and de-compress after a hectic day in the office.

At Moxi, we recognise the importance of providing the right training for staff to support those around them with mental health issues. That’s why, as part of our training course, all trainees undergo Mental Health First Aid training, with further courses available including Mental Health Awareness and Mental Health Training for Teachers certification.

We are also able to offer bespoke training to meet the needs of pupils you may be working with, including those with special educational needs, SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) issues and neurodiverse conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia.

For more information and to find out how Moxi Recruitment can help, call me today on 0300 303 4414, send an email to info@moxi-recruitment.co.uk or visit: www.moxi-recruitment.co.uk/contact/ and leave a message. I can’t wait to hear from you!