Welcome to The Flourishing Teacher's Field Guide.

We’re well into the spring term, so this week, we're exploring something that's been on my mind lately - how to manage our emotional energy in a profession that demands so much of us. 

If you've ever felt completely drained by Tuesday afternoon (and let's be honest, who hasn't?), this one's for you!

Let's jump in...

When Did Teaching Start Taking So Much Out Of You?

I think I must have spent years of my professional life feeling exhausted.

And thinking it was normal.

I used to think being exhausted was just part of being a good teacher.

You know that feeling when you're giving everything to your students, but somehow it's still not enough? When each interaction, each lesson, and each conversation with a colleague seems to drain a little more from your emotional reserves?

That was me for years. I'd push through the day, running on empty, telling myself this was normal. This was teaching.

Quite frankly, my senior leadership team actively made that sense of exhaustion feel inevitable. 

But here's what I've learned: being emotionally drained isn't a badge of honour - it's a warning sign.

When I finally started paying attention to my emotional energy levels, I realised something crucial: it wasn't about having more time or working harder - it was about understanding and managing my emotional energy more effectively.

As we explored in our article on "Beyond Balance", sustainable teaching isn't about perfect time management - it's about concentrating your efforts on energy management.

Here's how to start...

3 Science-Based Strategies For Managing Your Energy

1. The Energy Mapping Method

Think of your emotional energy like your phone battery - it has patterns of drain and recharge. The key is understanding your personal patterns. Here’s where you prioritise yourself over your work.

Try this…

• Rate your energy levels (1-10) at key points throughout your teaching day

• Note what activities energize or drain you

• Look for patterns in your natural "high tide" and "low tide" periods

• Use this data to restructure your day where possible

For example, I discovered that parent meetings drained me far more than actual teaching. Now I schedule them during my natural high-energy periods, not at the end of the day when I'm already depleted.

2. Strategic Energy Allocation

Contrary to what I used to instinctively try to achieve, not all teaching tasks require the same emotional investment. 

If you try to run at 100% the whole time, you’ll be running at 30% by Wednesday.

Learning to categorise and distribute your tasks can transform your day. Take your time, because no one else is going to do it for you!

Here’s my version…

High Energy Demand:

• Difficult conversations

• New concept introduction

• Behavioural interventions

Medium Energy Demand:

• Regular teaching

• Team meetings

• Parent communication

Low Energy Demand:

• Planning

• Resource creation

• Administrative tasks

The trick isn't to avoid high-demand tasks - it's to position them strategically when your emotional tank is fullest.

3. Micro-Recovery Rituals

Research shows we can't sustain high emotional engagement for more than 90 minutes without recovery. But who has time for long breaks?

Enter micro-recoveries, otherwise known as 3-minute practices between classes…

• Deep breathing exercises

• Quick physical stretches

• Positive visualization

• Emotional reset affirmations

These aren't indulgences - they're essential maintenance for your emotional wellbeing.

Here's my favourite micro-recovery ritual that transformed my teaching day: 

Between classes, I'd sneak into the school costume cupboard (my sanctuary!) for exactly three minutes. I'd close my eyes, breathe deeply, and imagine my emotional energy as a blue light slowly filling me up from toes to head. 

Simple, but incredibly effective. Now my colleagues do it too - we call it our "cupboard reset"!

Research from the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology confirms this approach: even brief recovery periods can reduce emotional exhaustion by up to 40% when practised consistently throughout the day (Zacher et al., 2024).

Common Energy Management Obstacles (And How to Overcome Them)

What about when things don't go to plan?

Here's how to handle common energy management challenges:

"I can't control my schedule"

• Focus on the transitions you can control

• Use your commute as recovery time

• Build energy check-ins into existing routines

"I feel guilty taking breaks"

• Remember: Recovery isn't selfish, it's essential

• Start with just 60 seconds between classes

• Model healthy boundaries for your students

"My energy crashes without warning"

• Keep an emergency energy kit (water, healthy snack, favourite poem)

• Have a go-to 30-second grounding technique

• Identify your early warning signs

What Are You Waiting For?

We believe that teachers achieve extraordinary things under challenging circumstances and that we all deserve to be valued, supported and celebrated.

That's what this newsletter is all about.

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Get Exclusive Access To Our Free Online Course…

As valued subscribers, we’re delighted to offer you free lifetime access to our short course in teacher wellbeing. It’s just part of the value you get from being a member of the Marigold community.

Our five lessons introduce you to some essential elements of teacher wellbeing:

• How to compartmentalise your life and work

• How to manage your work/life balance

• How to boost your productivity and efficiency

• How to get the support you need

• How to build a positive mindset

Click the link below and start getting value from the course now!

Thank You For Everything

As we navigate these darker winter months, it's more important than ever to protect and nurture your emotional energy. You give so much to your students every single day - the small moments of connection, the patient explanations, the quiet encouragements that change lives.

If no one else notices, we do. And we're incredibly proud of how you show up, day after day, making that difference.

Remember though - you can't pour from an empty cup. Taking care of your emotional energy isn't just self-care, it's student care too. Because when you're at your best, your impact is immeasurable.

Here's a quick reminder of our energy management strategies:

Remember, you're more than your marking, your lesson observations and your planning.

You're you. And that's all you need to be.