Teaching is a wonderfully rewarding career, but the demands of the classroom can feel overwhelming. The NHS Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing provides practical steps to improve mental health and resilience – especially useful for busy primary teachers. Here are five tips, each linked to these principles, to help you manage your own wellbeing and make your workload feel more manageable.

1. Discover: Learn Something New

Small things, consistently applied, make a difference. Taking time to develop new skills can be an excellent way to build resilience and rekindle your enthusiasm. Why not experiment with new activities or hobbies to boost your wellbeing? You could try:

• Learning a new classroom strategy
• Exploring creative teaching tools 
• A new hobby, for example, baking, painting, or gardening

These small steps not only enrich your personal growth but can also inspire fresh ideas to bring to your lessons.

Tip: Dedicate a small slot each week to learn something new. Protect and prioritise those habits.

2. Take Notice: Practise Mindfulness

Amidst a packed schedule, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush. Mindfulness can help you stay grounded and aware of the present moment. A few minutes of focused breathing or simply pausing to appreciate small wins in your day can work wonders for reducing stress and improving clarity.

To sustain wellbeing, reflection is key. Journalling can provide time and space to organise your thoughts and gain perspective on your personal and professional life. To stay consistent and track progress, use weekly prompts such as: What went well today? or What can I do tomorrow to support my wellbeing? 

Tip: Start or end your day with five minutes of mindfulness either on your own or with your class. The Calm app is useful for meditation and sleep. Headspace for Educators is a free app you can use for quick guided sessions to help children get into mindfulness. 

3. Connect: Build Social Connections

Teaching can feel isolating at times, but connecting with colleagues, friends, and family is vital for emotional wellbeing. Share experiences, lean on each other for support, and make time for socialising outside of school – even if it’s just a quick coffee with a colleague.

Tip: Set up a regular check-in with a teaching buddy or join an online group for primary teachers to share ideas and experiences.

4. Give: Support Others Generously

Acts of kindness benefit others and boost one’s sense of purpose and wellbeing. Whether mentoring a colleague, supporting a pupil, or participating in a school fundraiser, giving your time and energy in meaningful ways can create a positive ripple effect.

Tip: Take a moment to reflect on how you can give back, such as sharing resources or offering a listening ear to a colleague. Encourage pupils in your school to follow your example and perform their own acts of kindness.

5. Move: Stay Active

Physical activity is a proven mood booster and stress reliever. Whether it’s a brisk walk, a yoga session, or a dance class, moving your body regularly can help you clear your mind and increase your energy levels.

Tip: Build movement into your daily routine. Even short bursts, such as walking around the playground or doing stretches between lessons, can make a big difference.

Additional Advice

Set Boundaries for Work-Life Balance

One more essential tip for teacher wellbeing – allow yourself to leave work at work. The job list is never complete! You could try to set a specific time to stop working in the evenings or avoid checking emails and planning lessons late at night. Use time away from school to rest and recharge.

Tip: Consider using a planner or diary to organise your week and set clear priorities.

Practise Wellbeing in the classroom

The Kapow Primary Wellbeing scheme of work centres around five strands based on the NHS Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing. Our teacher CPD videos show how you can apply the tips above in the classroom.

Wellbeing is included at no extra cost for all Kapow Primary subscribers, whether as part of a subject subscription or as a standalone resource.

Happy teachers are more effective teachers. Research from the Education Support Partnership found that teachers who report high levels of wellbeing are not only more satisfied with their roles but also deliver improved outcomes for students. 

Positive teacher wellbeing strengthens relationships with pupils, boosts classroom engagement, and helps teachers better manage daily challenges. By incorporating one or more of these strategies into your routine, you can create a healthier balance and improve your overall wellbeing. Remember, prioritising your health isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity for being your best self, both in and out of the classroom. Which of these tips will you try first?

Kapow Primary Wellbeing resources

• Blog: How can leaders improve staff wellbeing? 
• Video: Introduction to Wellbeing 
• Webinar: Enhancing Wellbeing for Pupils and Staff
• Blog: Building resilience in primary school children

Further support

• Remember to reach out and ask for help if you need it. 
• Education Support: Resources for individuals 
• Mentally Healthy Schools: How to handle stress
• NHS 5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing
• Mind: How to improve your mental wellbeing