Stress and Teaching: Why It’s One of the Most Stressful Professions (and What to Do About It)

Teaching is consistently ranked among the most stressful professions. Surveys and scientific studies from across the globe show that stress among teachers is not only widespread but also impacts both their health and the quality of education they provide.

Shocking Numbers Behind Teacher Stress

• 93% of teachers report high stress levels at some point in their careers
• Only 7% consider themselves well-adjusted to their job
• Teachers feel stressed 61% of the time, compared to 30% in other jobs
• 90% have considered quitting due to high workload
• 87% know colleagues who left for the same reason
• 96% say work stress negatively affects their personal life
• In the Netherlands, 20% of teachers reported burnout symptoms in 2014

These numbers, drawn from studies in the UK, USA, and the Netherlands, likely reflect similar patterns in other industrialized countries. Stress affects teachers at every level, from primary school to higher education.

What Causes Teacher Stress?

1. Overload and Bureaucracy

Teachers face growing demands for accountability, often involving excessive administrative work. For instance, some must document every piece of feedback or take photos of lessons for auditing. These tasks add hours to their week and reflect a lack of trust in their professional autonomy.

2. Constant Policy Changes

Frequent changes in teaching methods and curriculum — often politically driven — force teachers to rewrite materials and adapt without sufficient support. These changes may not even benefit student learning but increase teacher stress and reduce motivation.

3. Psychological Demands on New Teachers

New teachers are particularly vulnerable. They report high stress due to classroom management challenges, negative student behavior, and the pressure to create a safe, stimulating environment.

4. Broader Categories of Stressors

Stress factors can be grouped into:

• High psychological demands
• Negative social interactions
• Pupil misbehavior
• Organizational inefficiencies
• Limited professional growth opportunities

The first three are especially impactful.

The Cost of Stress in Education

Effects on Teachers' Health

Burnout is a major consequence. According to the WHO, it stems from poorly managed chronic workplace stress. Symptoms include exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness. Recovery can take months or years, significantly affecting sick leave rates.

Other health effects include:

• Cardiovascular problems
• Depression
• Cognitive impairments like memory issues

These arise due to chronic stress responses involving hormones like adrenaline and changes in brain function.

Effects on Students and Schools

Stress doesn’t stop with the teacher:

• Students of stressed teachers show poorer academic outcomes
• Classroom tension increases students' cortisol (stress hormone) levels
• Frequent teacher absences disrupt continuity and student-teacher relationships
• Teacher turnover increases workload for remaining staff

One UK study found that 76% of teachers were seriously considering leaving their job due to stress-related factors.

Solutions to Reduce Stress in Teaching

1. Mindfulness (Support, Not Cure)

Mindfulness can help individual teachers manage emotions, but it doesn't fix systemic problems. It may help some gain clarity and emotional distance, but it won't reduce actual workload or bureaucratic pressures.

2. Reduce Bureaucratic Burden

Governments and inspection bodies should trust teachers more and reduce unnecessary administrative tasks. Collaboration between teachers and inspectors could help maintain quality without increasing stress.

3. Limit Political Interference

Frequent shifts in education policy disrupt teaching and increase stress. Educational change should come from professionals in collaboration with policymakers, not be imposed top-down.

4. Strengthen Student-Teacher Relationships

Especially for new teachers, support programs focused on classroom management and relationship-building can reduce stress and improve outcomes. Social-emotional learning programs in schools can also help.

5. Financial Incentives (Not the Core Issue)

While pay is important, poor working conditions rank higher as stressors. Many teachers prefer lower-paid private school jobs due to better environments. Still, modest pay increases can help with retention in high-stress schools.

Empowering Teachers: The Key to Lower Stress

Research shows that autonomy reduces stress. Teachers who have control over how they teach and feel supported by school leadership experience lower stress levels.

Giving teachers more say in how they manage their classrooms and reducing external micromanagement will improve both teacher wellbeing and student learning.