Preventing Youth Worker Burnout
How Educators Can Reduce Work-Related Stress
Working with kids is emotionally draining, but too much stress can lead to burnout. Here are some tips to keep the pressure from becoming overwhelming.
Many teachers leave the field after only a few years: stress, coupled with a lack of support, is often cited as one of the reasons. Even for seasoned teachers and youth workers, working with kids on a daily basis can be extremely challenging. Coping with behavior and emotional problems, lack of motivation, and difficult families can push even the best-intentioned youth worker to the end of his or her patience.
One of the keys to preventing burnout is finding ways to reduce stress. Additionally, those in the helping profession are often so overwhelmed they may make the mistake of putting their own needs last, which can quicken the onset of burnout. Try these ideas for making things run a little more smoothly:
Learn when to say no. Don’t feel obligated to volunteer for every committee or group that comes along. Spreading yourself too thin will wear you out and probably prevent you from doing the quality of work you could do if you focused on fewer projects. This goes for your personal life too. While some obligations can’t and shouldn’t be avoided, try to prune out those that are just adding to your burden.
Leave work at work. It’s tempting to mentally “take kids home with us.” When we have caring relationships with students, it’s only natural to think about them during our off-hours. But if you find yourself preoccupied with kids’ issues, or worrying about work tasks you did or didn’t complete while you’re at home, it might be time to make some changes. Think of it this way: recharging and clearing your head when you aren’t working will mean you have more to give to kids when you are.
Take time for yourself. Find a way to pamper yourself with an activity you enjoy: be it a pedicure, a round of golf, or some alone time to read a book. Think of it as refueling yourself. It will lift your spirits, as well as put you in a better frame of mind for returning to work.
Don’t re-invent the wheel. Your time is limited, so designing your own materials may be something you can’t afford to do. Use available resources for lesson plans, activities, and other ideas. Check out Education and Career here at Suite101 for ideas from preschool to college.
Avoid unhealthy coping strategies. Be careful not to turn to food, alcohol, tobacco, or other problematic behaviors when stressed. Instead, find better alternatives like exercise, journaling, drawing, or other relaxing hobbies. These are the types of things we suggest for kids; they work well for adults, too.
Find someone to talk to. Debriefing with a relative or colleague can help put even the most difficult situations into perspective. Expressing your feelings verbally can help diffuse stress and build resistance. They might also be able to offer helpful suggestions in addition to providing a sounding board.
