The Worry Tree

Managing worry and anxiety for teachers

As teachers and education staff, it’s not unreasonable to feel worried or anxious sometimes given the pressures involved in your role, but it’s important to find a balance to ensure you’re not spending too much time trapped in a cycle of worry or anxiety.

Download this quick exercise below during term time or during the holidays to proactively shift the focus of your attention and look for balance.

This exercise is not about dismissing or brushing anything aside, but more about giving you greater perspective.

About the author

Emily Kenneally is a UK-based communications specialist working across teacher mental health, social prescribing, and workplace wellbeing in education. She has over 10 years’ experience in the charity sector.

She is a trauma-informed mindfulness practitioner, trained in non-clinical Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) at NHS Sussex Mindfulness Centre, and holds a Master of Design from the University of Brighton.

Since 2019, she has delivered wellbeing workshops to 1,400 adults and children across education and healthcare, including at the University of Surrey and NHS Sussex.

She joined Education Support as Content and Media Manager in 2022, co-producing 100+ teacher wellbeing resources with educators and partners, including The Mental Health Foundation and NAHT, contributing to BBC News reporting of the Teacher Wellbeing Index.