EFT for Teachers: Reducing Stress and Avoiding Burnout

Teaching has long been heralded as a noble profession, one filled with purpose, passion, and pride. Yet for many educators across the UK, the reality has become a far cry from the ideal. Excessive workloads, relentless performance pressures, and a lack of emotional support have left many teachers running on empty.

A 2022 National Education Union (NEU) survey revealed that nearly half of all teachers plan to leave the profession within five years, citing stress and burnout as the leading causes. It’s a worrying trend – one that speaks volumes about the toll teaching is taking on mental and emotional wellbeing.

Thankfully, there are emerging, evidence-based tools that can support teachers in reclaiming balance and resilience. One such tool is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), often known as ‘tapping’. In this article, we will explore the causes of burnout, the emotional and physical toll it takes, and how EFT can provide both relief and renewal.

What Is EFT and How Can It Help Teachers?

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a powerful self-help method that blends elements of cognitive behavioural therapy with acupressure. By gently tapping on specific meridian points while voicing current emotions or limiting beliefs, individuals can calm their nervous system, release emotional blockages, and reframe their mental state.

The core benefits of EFT for teachers include:

Rapid reduction in stress and anxiety
Improved emotional regulation and focus
Relief from feelings of overwhelm and frustration
Enhanced resilience and job satisfaction
No equipment or prior experience required

The science behind it: A 2019 meta-analysis published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease found that EFT significantly lowers cortisol (the stress hormone) and reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.

Why Are So Many Teachers Burning Out?

Burnout doesn’t strike overnight. It is a slow erosion of energy, motivation, and joy, usually brought on by chronic stress and sustained emotional pressure. Here are the most prevalent contributors to burnout in the teaching profession:

1. Unmanageable Workloads

Teachers are not just educators – they are planners, counsellors, administrators, behaviour managers, and oftentimes caregivers. The Department for Education reports that over 70% of teachers work more than 50 hours per week, and many routinely take work home.

2. Behavioural Challenges in the Classroom

Managing disruptive behaviour, particularly in under-resourced schools, places an enormous emotional strain on teachers, often leaving them feeling exhausted and defeated.

3. Lack of Emotional and Mental Health Support

While pupil wellbeing has (rightfully) gained attention, support for staff is often overlooked. Many teachers feel they must ‘just get on with it’, despite struggling silently.

4. Pressure to Perform

With mounting scrutiny from Ofsted, standardised testing, and performance-based metrics, many educators feel like they are under a constant spotlight – expected to achieve results at the expense of their wellbeing.

The Impact: Emotional and Physical Symptoms of Teacher Burnout

Teacher burnout is more than just being tired. It affects the mind, body, and spirit, often manifesting in ways that can seriously impact both professional and personal life.

Common symptoms include:

Persistent fatigue and poor sleep
Heightened anxiety, low mood, or irritability
Increased illness due to a weakened immune system
Emotional numbness or detachment from students
A growing sense of hopelessness or dissatisfaction

How EFT Works: A Practical Tool for Daily Calm

EFT empowers teachers to take control of their emotional wellbeing. It offers a simple, portable, and highly effective tool for addressing stress as it arises.

A typical EFT sequence looks like this:

Identify the issue: e.g. “I feel anxious about tomorrow’s inspection.”
Rate the emotional intensity on a scale from 0–10.
Create a set-up statement:
“Even though I feel anxious about the inspection, I deeply and completely accept myself.”
Tap on the meridian points, while repeating reminder phrases such as “this anxiety” or “this pressure.”
Reassess intensity and repeat as needed.

Within just a few minutes, teachers often report feeling calmer, clearer, and more in control.

The Evidence: Why EFT Is a Game-Changer for Educators

Numerous studies now support the efficacy of EFT. These include reductions in cortisol, improved heart rate variability, and decreased emotional distress. In teaching contexts, EFT is particularly effective because it helps practitioners manage their own emotional state while navigating the demands of a classroom.

Embedding EFT into the School Day

The beauty of EFT lies in its simplicity. It can be incorporated seamlessly into even the busiest of teaching schedules.

For individual teachers:

Begin the day with a five-minute tapping routine
Use EFT to manage nerves before meetings or observations
Tap during lunch breaks to reset and recharge

For school leaders:

Offer staff wellbeing workshops featuring EFT
Include EFT in Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Partner with certified EFT trainers for school-wide initiatives

Some forward-thinking schools are even integrating EFT into their student wellbeing programmes, encouraging pupils to manage their emotions more effectively.

Becoming an EFT-Literate Educator

You don’t need to be an expert to benefit from EFT – but those wishing to go further can deepen their knowledge through training and certification. Learning to facilitate EFT for colleagues or students can open up new pathways for leadership, wellbeing, and community building.

Ways to get started:

Explore free introductory sessions or tapping videos
Enrol in an accredited EFT for Educators training course
Build a daily personal tapping routine for self-care

Teaching with Heart, Not Burnout

Teachers are the beating heart of our education system. They deserve not just appreciation but genuine support in managing their mental and emotional health.

EFT is more than a trend – it is a proven, accessible, and empowering technique that can help educators reconnect with themselves and their purpose. By embracing tools like EFT, we can move towards a culture where teacher wellbeing is not a luxury but a priority.

If you're ready to reclaim your sense of calm and build emotional resilience in your teaching career, we invite you to:

👉 Join our accredited EFT for Educators training course and gain the tools to transform your wellbeing from the inside out.
Click here to enrol today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EFT, and is it really backed by research?

Yes. EFT is a validated technique supported by over 100 clinical studies. It combines tapping on acupressure points with cognitive reframing to ease emotional distress.

Can EFT help me if I’m already feeling burnt out?

Absolutely. EFT can provide immediate relief and is especially useful when incorporated into a regular self-care routine. Many teachers report sleeping better and feeling more emotionally grounded within weeks.

Is EFT suitable to use in the classroom?

Yes. EFT can be taught to pupils in an age-appropriate way and is already being used in many schools across the UK to support both staff and student wellbeing.

How much time does EFT take each day?

Just 5 to 10 minutes of tapping per day can make a noticeable difference. You can use it before school, during a break, or as part of a wind-down routine at home.