Early childhood educators are not immune to burnout — in fact, it’s unfortunately a highly reported issue in the sector. This needs to be addressed, and by having a better understanding of what burnout looks like, we can be equipped to know how we can support those experiencing it. Better yet, an insight into burnout in the workplace can help us to prevent it happening in the first place.

What is burnout and what causes it

Burnout is a state of being that involves feeling depleted. It’s generally acknowledged to be a work-related stress, though other factors could contribute and trigger burnout for a person.

While it’s not new, burnout is being increasingly reported, especially in the wake of going on two years of life overshadowed by a global pandemic. Heading in and out of lockdowns, we are one moment conditioned to being in a strange living situation where we only do and see the bare minimum, while the next moment we are launched back into life as we once knew it. This can take its toll.

On top of this, those working in early childhood education have had to adapt to new early childhood education circumstances that have added a new level of pressure in the workplace. Stringent cleaning protocols, understanding virus spread and prevention strategies, evolving policies around interacting and mask-wearing, taking temperature checks and more have all piled on to the responsibilities of being an essential worker in early childhood education.

Symptoms of burnout

It’s worth noting that while anyone can experience burnout, it doesn’t look the same for each person.

Here are a few of the key symptoms of burnout that you should be aware of to better identify them in yourself or those around you:

• Feeling exhausted: Exhaustion from burnout is often psychologically based but can feel like physical, emotional or mental exhaustion.
• Less able to connect emotionally: Individuals experiencing burnout could feel disconnected from co-workers and even children.
• Sense of meaninglessness: People suffering from burnout tend to lose sight of the point of doing anything. They might feel like they are not making a difference.
• Loss of motivation: A once-motivated individual may begin to lack that drive and no longer experience satisfaction from things they previously enjoyed.

Needless to say, these symptoms of burnout can have a negative impact on individuals working in early childhood education. In addition, they can affect the workplace more broadly as well as children’s early childhood education experience.

Alleviating burnout (and preventing it)

If you notice symptoms of burnout in yourself or in others, there are many things you can do to navigate and manage burnout. Further, embedding these strategies into general day-to-day life could prevent burnout from occurring in the first place. After all, prevention is the best medicine.

Here are a few strategies that are great to conquer that heightened stress that you can put in place for managing burnout:

Bring movement into each day

Movement in any form can reduce stress by releasing endorphins while also reducing the hormones that cause stress in the first place. Don’t think of it as exercise necessarily — find a movement that you enjoy. It could be dancing, cycling, yoga and more.

Spend time outdoors

Research suggests that just minutes into being outdoors we are less stressed or tense. Make an effort to take activities, exercise or even just mindful moments outside and get close to nature whenever possible.

Utilise mindfulness

Mindfulness is the act of being present in the moment. By doing this we are less likely to be distressed by over-thinking the past or future.

Take time

While there are schedules to keep to, try to minimise rush times throughout the day. Calm transitions with plenty of time to achieve what you need to are ideal. It’s also important to ask to take time off from work if needed so you can restore and return feeling better.

Most of these tactics can even be incorporated into your day at work in an early childhood education setting. Children can enjoy them too and enjoy many benefits for themselves!

Supporting wellbeing in ECEC workplace teams

An educator’s well-being can have a direct impact on their ability to do their job to the best of their ability. And as the saying goes, you cannot pour from an empty cup.

With this in mind, to ensure educators can be caring, patient and enthusiastic in the workplace, it is vital that early childhood education services put effort into supporting wellbeing. Employers and senior management in early childhood education settings can support staff in many ways, including:

• Leading with kindness: While work is important, each individual’s well-being should always come first. We often don’t know what another person is experiencing in their lives, and a little kindness can go a long way. Showing compassion and empathy to your employees, especially if they seem to be going through a hard time will ensure they feel supported.
• Providing recognition: Ensuring your employees feel valued and appreciated can contribute greatly to their well-being. Take note of educators’ accomplishments both individually and as a team and make it known! It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, but a note in the staff room, a conversation or a box of chocolates can say a lot.
• Keeping up communication: An open line of communication means you are more likely to be able to keep on top of how educators in the workplace are feeling. Make the effort to check in individually with your team, whether it’s a phone call, email or a note.
• Offering support: You don’t need to wait for employees to ask for help or support — if you identify a staff member who seems like they might need something, reach out. It could be as simple as offering a change of shift or asking if they need to talk about anything.

We are all in this together, and no one is immune to burnout. By putting human beings in the workplace (including ourselves!) at the top of the priority list, we place everyone in the early childhood education sector in the best position for success in the short and long term.

That means we can all continue to work towards giving children a strong foundation for a bright future.

Raising awareness of the mental health issues that affect people all over Australia is the aim of World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Month. This focus on mental wellbeing is now vitally important in light of the events across the globe over the last few years.

Let’s take the opportunity this month to check on our own mental wellbeing as well as that of those around us. We can work together to create meaningful conversations, break stigma and improve access to tools, strategies and resources so that we are all empowered to overcome setbacks to see a brighter tomorrow. Mental health awareness and a focus on wellbeing are vital for a caring and compassionate society.

Mental health struggles can affect anyone

Mental health issues can affect any person, regardless of their circumstances. No matter your age, gender, career, relationship or socioeconomic status, no one is immune to mental health struggles. BeyondBlue highlights that there are various points in our lives that make us more vulnerable to mental health challenges, such as when we are experiencing big changes in life. With one in four young people experiencing a mental health condition, and depression among the most disabling conditions later in life, it’s important to note that mental wellbeing can be affected at any age.

According to Health Direct, symptoms of mental health issues can range from behavioural to emotional to physical, including:

• Feeling anxious
• Feeling sad
• Feeling worthless
• Sleep problems
• Weight or appetite changes
• Changes in behaviour
• Substance abuse

As well as being aware of how mental health troubles can present in ourselves and others, it’s essential to know what to do next. There are also many strategies to manage mental health and enhance your wellbeing.

Learning self-care strategies for mental wellbeing

Speaking with a health professional is a great thing to do if you feel that your mental health is not in a good place. On top of seeking professional support, self-care can be good place to start looking after yourself better and improving your mental wellbeing. Self-care is so much more than just a relaxing bubble bath, and the benefits are far-reaching and include reduced stress levels, increased levels of resilience and improved overall health.

Do the things you enjoy

Try to do one thing as a minimum each day just for pleasure. It might be reading a book with a hot chocolate in hand, listening to music or watching your favourite show. You deserve it.

Exercise regularly

Research indicates that exercise is a highly effective way of managing mental health and its symptoms. Exercise releases endorphins which help to make us feel happy, so fit in any exercise you can manage each day, even if it’s just a short walk to get started.

Meditation and mindfulness

Life can be overwhelming, but meditation and mindfulness techniques can help create some space and give you an escape. Mindfulness is valuable for children’s wellbeing, as well as adults.

Tune out from the news

The news has been a rollercoaster this year, to say the least. It’s okay to switch it off and forget about the state of the world for a while. In fact, it’s recommended, particularly if the news is making you sad or anxious.

Support and resources for mental health

There are many apps, online tools, phone lines, web and text chat services and more to support you when you need it most. You should also feel comfortable and confident about speaking to your doctor — they can help you with a mental health plan that will give you greater access to professional support to manage your wellbeing.

Keep these resources in mind for yourself, or to share with others:

• Lifeline Australia –  Provide access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
  Website: www.lifeline.org.au Telephone: 13 11 14

• Beyond Blue – Provides information, and support for depression, anxiety and suicide prevention.
  Website: www.beyondblue.org.au Telephone: 1300 224 636

• Headspace – Provides young people with information and resources on mental health, physical health, work and study support, and alcohol and other drug services.
  Website: www.headspace.org.au Telephone: 1800 650 890

• 1800 Respect – Provides 24 hour support to people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.
  Website: www.1800respect.org.au Telephone: 1800 737 732

• Mindspot – Provides free effective internet delivered psychological assessment and treatment for stress, anxiety, worry, depression, low mood, OCD and trauma (PTSD).
  Website: www.mindspot.org.au Telephone: 1800 614 434

• Kids Helpline – Provides private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
  Website: www.kidshelpline.com.au Telephone: 1800 55 1800

• National Debt Helpline – Helps people tackle their debt problems.
  Website: www.ndh.org.au Telephone: 1800 007 007

• National Coronavirus Helpline – Provides information and advice about COVID-19.
  Telephone: 1800 020 080

Care and compassion for better mental wellbeing

Care and compassion are at the heart of everything we do at Practical Outcomes. To be in the best position to provide support and care to those around us, we need to prioritise our own mental wellbeing too.

Download our self-care checklist below to help keep on top of your mental wellbeing and ensure you are doing everything possible to look after yourself. If others around you might need a reminder to take care of their mental wellbeing, go ahead and share it with them too.

Reaching out to others is one of the most valuable things we can do, and we encourage everyone to use World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Month to make reaching out a habit.

Download our self-care checklist

Practical Outcomes is dedicated to supporting our learners and early childhood education clients. For more information, contact us today.