Educators are well respected in the world because of the difficult job that they take on.
From little tykes to senior citizens, teachers are tasked with helping varied sorts of people to learn and grow mentally.
Teachers sometimes earn the highest salaries and are expected to keep strict instruction schedules.
They might have to show up for class when they feel under the weather and then stay up late to prepare for their next group of students fully.
As such, teachers are considered to be prone to developing a few particular health problems.
The good news is that all of the most Common Health Problems Experienced by Teachers are treatable.
Here are some of the top health problems experienced by teachers.
Table of Contents
Stress Headaches
If you are a teacher, you can count on dealing with loads of stress.
Space City experts from the National Headache Institute in Houston can explain how the role of an educator can easily result in a stressful lifestyle and constant lookout for unhealthy coping mechanisms.
This ongoing, daily stress can lead to tension headaches, which are characterized by a tight band of pain around the head.
You have to deal with students daily and their unique and sometimes quarrelsome personalities.
If your students are minors, you will also need to correspond and coordinate with their parents or guardians.
Then, your superiors expect progress reports and other administrative tasks to be fulfilled within a specific time period.
Next, you will have co-workers and fellow teachers who might need your assistance on projects and cooperation with more universal issues in the educational setting.
And all of this comes before your personal life and responsibilities.
No wonder teachers are so prone to having stress headaches.
Insomnia
Anyone who is expected to meet each day bright and early with a cheery smile might occasionally experience insomnia.
Welcome to the world of teaching.
Unlike other professions, where you can drag yourself into work and isolate yourself until the day is over, educators must actively and enthusiastically engage.
In other words, teachers have to be present, responsive and prepared to take on a broad category of challenges that unexpectedly arise.
When you spend all of your waking hours being ‘on,’ it can be much harder to get to sleep.
Insomniacs have trouble both getting to and staying asleep.
You don’t feel well-rested when you do not regularly get eight hours of sleep.
It’s a repetitive cycle that educators find themselves in far too often.
Fatigue
When you prepare to run a marathon, you train, work on endurance, and try to simulate what it will be like when you finally go the distance.
Teaching is a lot like being a professional marathon runner in that you are perpetually in training mode.
Even during school breaks, you can stay within your routine as a teacher or risk having difficulty adjusting to your regular schedule.
Fatigue is a common health problem that lots of educators experience.
You can help to alleviate fatigue by pursuing an online EdD and pacing yourself.
Taking classes online will help you create a more manageable schedule, as you will have much more flexibility.
Fatigue generally worsens over time, so teachers must be prudent about recognizing the signs of being overworked.
Obesity
Although teachers are active and work in many different environments, they also tend to work in more sedentary positions.
Many teachers don’t get much exercise during the day, whether standing on the blackboard or sitting behind a desk.
In addition, it can be challenging for teachers to eat healthily because so much is expected of them.
As a result, educators can need some help packing on unwanted pounds.
Any educator who wants to lose weight should cook their meals instead of eating out, swap flavored water for soda pop, and pack plenty of healthy snacks.
Eye Strain
Educators read a lot. Many would go as far as saying that they read all day.
Teachers are always busy reviewing their notes, reading emails, and going over textbooks.
They spend hours behind computer screens, reading, writing, and learning.
Therefore, it isn’t surprising that teachers suffer from eye strain.
Go to your ophthalmologist regularly, wear glasses if required, and give your eyes a break when your vision gets blurry.
You may not be able to spend less time reading small text, but giving your eyes the occasional break is always an option.
Carpal Tunnel
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome is a treatable disorder that can cause various symptoms, most affecting the hand and wrist region.
If your hands frequently hurt, your wrist feels heavy, or you get a tingling sensation in your lower arms and hands, you may have carpal tunnel.
A wrist brace can help to alleviate stress, while minor surgery may ultimately be necessary to fix long-term damage.
Teachers regularly use their hands to instruct and communicate, which can be another occupational hazard many face.
Caffeine Addiction
There is nothing like a hot cup of coffee at the start of the day, and there are few more deserving of their morning pick-me-up than teachers.
Educators tend to start their days early, working long into the evening and often over the weekend.
Teachers have a full plate, whether grading tests, helping students after school, or preparing their latest lesson plans.
Most people keep going on long, grueling days by filling their coffee mugs with a fresh brew.
Then, you always get the quick jolt of energy when drinking an ice-cold soda.
The long story short is that teachers are more prone to developing caffeine addiction and dependency simply because their jobs require so much of them.
While teaching certainly isn’t a dangerous occupation, it does come with health concerns that you should be aware of.
Most health issues educators encounter are due to stress and sedentary lifestyles.
So, start working out more and develop hobbies that can help you to feel much more relaxed.
Going to the spa or even spending time with friends can also help make a teacher’s life more enjoyable.
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