Sleep & Teachers

Professional Wellness Begins With Rest

Teaching is cognitively, emotionally, and physically demanding. Yet many educators normalize exhaustion as part of the job. Sleep is not a reward—it is a requirement for sustainable teaching.

Why Sleep Matters for Teachers

Sleep supports:

• Decision-making and classroom management

• Emotional resilience and patience

• Immune function and long-term health

Chronic sleep deprivation contributes to burnout, compassion fatigue, and decreased job satisfaction.

3 Unexpected Benefits of Sleep for Teachers

1. Sleep improves classroom presence
   Rested teachers respond rather than react.

2. Sleep reduces emotional labor
   Adequate rest increases capacity for empathy and boundaries.

3. Sleep protects creativity and problem-solving
   Lesson planning and adaptability improve with rest.

Reflection Prompts for Teachers

• What messages have I internalized about rest and productivity?

• Where can I protect my sleep without guilt?

• How might prioritizing sleep support my longevity in teaching?

Research Sources

These sources support sleep as a factor in burnout prevention, decision-making, and emotional regulation for adults and professionals:

• Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. (2016).
  Understanding the Burnout Experience
  — Identifies sleep deprivation as a contributor to burnout

• American Psychological Association (APA)
  Stress and Sleep
  — Research linking sleep, stress, and professional performance

• Barnes, C. M., & Drake, C. L. (2015).
  Prioritizing Sleep Health: Public Health Policy Recommendations
  — Addresses workplace culture and sleep deprivation

Recommended Further Reading

• Burnout by Emily & Amelia Nagoski

• Rest by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang