12/21/2021

5 Self-Care Books for Educators to De-Stress and Help With Teacher Burnout

Across the nation, staffing shortages and increased job-related stress are causing a massive uptick in teacher burnout: according to a 2022 NEA survey, 55% of teachers said they were planning to leave their jobs sooner than they’d originally planned. The survey also found that a whopping 90% of teachers say that feeling burned out is a consistent problem in the profession, making it more important than ever for educators to find ways to cultivate well-being and practice self-care.

As schools seek solutions for the issues of staffing shortages and teacher discontent, there has never been a better time for educators to focus on their well-being. One great way for educators to practice self-care in their downtime is to read books that bring them joy and enrich their lives. Self-care books can be a valuable guide for educators looking to cultivate well-being and practice more mindfulness.

Here are five self-care books for educators:

1. Take Time for You: Self-Care Action Plans for Educators by Tina H. Boogren

In this book, Tina H. Boogren utilizes Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to develop manageable, research-based strategies that can help educators create a personalized self-care plan. Boogren suggests methods such as mindfulness, reflection, and daily self-care activities to help teachers thrive both professionally and in their personal lives.

2. The Way of Mindful Education: Cultivating Well-Being in Teachers and Students by Daniel Rechtschaffen

Daniel Rechtschaffen has compiled decades of research that suggest the benefits of mindfulness in social, emotional, and cognitive development. In this book, he shares a practical guide for educators to implement mindfulness into their personal and school lives in order to cultivate attention, compassion, and well-being in students, as well as in themselves.

3. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown

Brené Brown is known for her work researching courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy for the past two decades. In Daring Greatly, she builds upon this research to present a powerful new vision that encourages readers to embrace vulnerability and imperfection, live wholeheartedly, and courageously engage in their lives.

4. Real Happiness at Work: Meditations for Accomplishment, Achievement, and Peace by Sharon Salzberg

In this book, mindfulness expert and meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg shares ideas for cultivating mindfulness, compassion, and awareness at work—no matter what your job is. Salzberg guides readers to improve the positives of working life while mitigating the negative feelings of stress, exhaustion, and feeling overwhelmed and underappreciated.

5. 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works by Dan Harris

This book follows author Dan Harris’ adventure through spirituality, mindfulness, and self-help in order to find a way to be happier. Good for any adult struggling with happiness and fulfillment, in work or in life, 10% Happier explores topics from neuroscience to societal factors that affect happiness and presents a practical way to become happier that is achievable no matter what stage you are at in your life or profession.

Educators can benefit greatly from taking the time to read self-care books and develop new mindfulness techniques. Taking actionable steps to cultivate well-being and practice self-care not only improves educators’ mental health, but can also have positive effects on their students—ultimately leading to improvements in the well-being of the school community as a whole.