SEMwell at the birth of a significant study: Mindfulness and self-kindness as the key to teachers' well-being

How can mindfulness and mindful self-kindness support teachers' well-being, reduce stress, and prevent burnout?

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This article focuses on a study that examined the influence of mindfulness and the concept of mindful self-compassion on the mental well-being and job satisfaction of primary school teachers in the Czech Republic.

Teachers are often exposed to high levels of stress and psychological strain, which can lead to burnout, reduced work motivation and an overall deterioration of their mental health. Given that the school environment is dynamic and often demanding, it is important to find effective ways to support the mental well-being of educators. One option that has come to the fore in recent years is mindfulness, or conscious attention, and also the concept of mindful self-compassion.

This important study was published by our cooperating guarantor Kami Brada Dvořáková. The research was also carried out with her in 2018-2019 by the director of SEMwell, Jana Kyriakou. The study has now finally been published on a prestigious portal, which confirms its professional quality and contribution to the field of education and mental well-being of educators.

A total of 104 teachers from various primary schools participated in the research. These teachers were divided into two groups – one group completed a mindfulness and mindful self-compassion program, while the other served as a control group that did not undergo any specific intervention. The goal of the program was to teach teachers to better work with their own stress, perceive the present moment without judgment, and develop the ability to cope with emotionally demanding situations that occur in their profession on a daily basis. Levels of stress, burnout, and job satisfaction were measured using standardized self-assessment questionnaires, which allowed for objective monitoring of changes in these key areas. Participants completed them at three time points: before the program began, after its completion, and then also during a follow-up measurement that took place six months later.

The results showed that teachers who completed the program experienced a significant reduction in stress compared to the control group. Regular practice of mindfulness and mindful self-kindness helped them better manage challenging situations and respond with greater insight to common stressors. At the same time, the intervention group showed lower levels of burnout symptoms, which is a common problem in the teaching profession leading to exhaustion and demotivation. The results thus suggest that programs focused on mindfulness and mindful self-kindness can serve as an effective prevention of burnout and improve the psychological resilience of educators.

In addition to reducing stress and preventing burnout, the program participants also experienced increased job satisfaction. Teachers reported greater enjoyment of their work, feeling more fulfilled and satisfied with how they performed it. This positive effect is also reflected in the quality of teaching and the overall atmosphere in the classrooms.

The study thus confirms that mindfulness and mindful self-kindness can be a valuable tool for supporting the mental well-being of educators. Their wider implementation in schools could bring long-term benefits not only for the teachers themselves, but also for the entire educational community.

If you are more interested in this issue, you can check out the entire research in the original article - Effectiveness of the mindfulness program for elementary school teachers in the Czech Republic (in English).

Mindfulness = conscious attention focused on the present moment—on our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surroundings—without judgment and with friendly interest. You can read more about mindfulness on our blog here .

Mindful Self-Compassion = is a science-based approach that combines mindfulness and self-compassion. Psychologist Kristin Neff is considered a pioneer in the scientific study of this concept, and she defines self-compassion as the ability to treat ourselves kindly in difficult times, rather than criticizing or suppressing our emotions.

Research shows that practicing mindful self-compassion leads to reduced stress, anxiety, and depression, improved emotional resilience, and promoted overall well-being. For example, a study by Neff and Germer (2013) demonstrated that eight weeks of Mindful Self-Compassion training significantly increased psychological resilience and reduced self-criticism.

You can read more about mindful self-compassion in Kristin Neff's book - Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself.

Article author: Kateřina Fichtnerová