This time of the year can be difficult for teachers, particularly post-primary teachers who are focused on getting their students ready for upcoming exams and stresses are often at a high in school environments.

We met up with Jennifer Reidy from Compassion Fatigue Ireland to discuss how this impacts on teachers and how it can cause burnout.

Teaching is by its very nature, a caring profession, which is why it is one of the professions supported by Compassion Fatigue Ireland as a frontline workforce, along with social workers, youth workers, carers, doctors, nurses and all frontline caring professionals.

Teachers are often self-sacrificing for the needs of their students.

For example, missing breaks to support students with work or staying later to prepare lessons or giving up their personal time for marking.

Teachers often go above and beyond for their students.

They do this because they care.

Jennifer poses the question “should providing compassion for other mean sacrificing your own wellbeing”?

At Rathú we would argue that working in a caring profession should not mean sacrificing your wellbeing. Unfortunately, this can often be the case. In 2014, a Millward Brown poll commissioned by ASTI, found that 60% of teachers felt “continuously stressed”.

Jennifer shares 3 self-care tips for teachers: 

1.    Assess fitness regime and nutrition levels in order to remain healthy

2.    Use quiet time at night to switch off before sleeping 

3.    Remain compassionate to yourself knowing you are doing your best 

For more information on Compassion Fatigue Ireland, please check out the website (www.compassionfatigueireland.com)