Teachers Must Learn to Relax
12 October 2007
A new survey by Waterfall Spa, has revealed that teaching is considered to be the UK’s most stressful profession.
Around 40 per cent of people surveyed by the ladies only spa, in Leeds, believe teachers to be under the most pressure at work - ahead of professions such as police, doctors and air traffic controllers.
Far from the view that teachers have it too easy with six weeks of holiday every summer, those surveyed cited factors such as disruptive and unruly pupils, long working hours and pressure to attain ever higher exam grades as some of the most likely causes of stress in the job.
Pamela Petty, managing director of Waterfall Spa, said: “Previous research at the spa showed that a high percentage of our customers note stress as their reason for visiting us and we wanted to find out which professions people view as the most stressful.
“Teaching was the overwhelming top choice and we have certainly seen evidence that teachers are more stressed than ever with far more female teachers choosing to visit us over the school holidays.”
Although stress is a serious problem for all teachers, with one in three taking sick leave as a result of stress, female teachers can be more susceptible to stress than their male counterparts as they struggle to cope with the demands of their varying roles as wives, mothers and teachers.
The difficulties of juggling these roles can leave women with no time to focus on their own needs which can lead to problems with health and their relationships. A spa provides an ideal opportunity to be away from other pressures and to take time out to focus on yourself.
Chris Keates from the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, said: “These findings are no surprise to the NASUWT and they confirm the results of a recent survey of NASUWT members when 81% reported that they were suffering from work related stress.
Geography teacher, Suzy Pugh, has been teaching for 6 years and says that she can see why people see hers as being the most stressful profession.
She says: “As a teacher you are very aware of the impact you have on your pupils and you never seem to be able to put in as many hours as you’d like which can cause a great deal of stress.
“It can be difficult to manage the work load and I have certainly heard of cases where teachers have had to stay up until 2am to finish marking assignments.
“But even then, it is so important to take time out for yourself – even something simple like pampering yourself with a day at a spa once in a while can really help make you feel human again.”
Waterfall Spa in Leeds is the first ladies only spa outside of London. See our A-Z guide on stress management, aromatherapy, reflexology and hypnosis for more ideas how to relax.
