From Burnout to Balance: Holistic Support for Teachers
- Caitlin McKean
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
Before I became a holistic therapist and yoga teacher, I was a primary school teacher. Like so many in the profession, I poured my heart and soul into the work. Teaching is a calling, a purpose, and a profound responsibility - but it can also take its toll.
I reached a point of severe burnout. I was anxious, exhausted, and disconnected from my own needs. Eventually, I made the difficult decision to step away from teaching to focus on restoring my health and wellbeing.
Now, through my practice, I have the privilege of supporting others - including many teachers - to reconnect with their bodies, calm their minds, and rediscover a sense of balance.
Teachers, You Hold So Much
As a teacher, you’re doing far more than delivering lessons. You’re nurturing emotional development, managing behaviour, planning continuously, and often holding the unseen emotional weight of the children and families you support, as well as meeting demands from policy makers. It’s no surprise that so many teachers feel depleted.
But here’s something important to remember: you can’t pour from an empty cup.
If you’re constantly operating in a state of stress, your nervous system doesn’t get a chance to reset. Stress is a natural part of life - we all experience it, and in short bursts it can even be helpful, motivating us to take action - but when stress becomes constant and unrelenting, it can tip into chronic stress, which over time may lead to burnout. Holistic therapies can offer a gentle, effective way to regulate your system and restore balance.
Massage and the Nervous System: More Than Just Relaxation
Massage therapy is often seen as a luxury, but it offers far more than temporary relief. Research suggests that massage may help shift the nervous system from sympathetic (fight or flight) into parasympathetic (rest and digest) mode - the state where healing and recovery occur.¹
The treatments I offer are grounded in this understanding. Whether it’s Indian head massage to ease mental overload, a deeply calming full-body massage, hot stone therapy to melt away stress, or manual lymphatic drainage to support detoxification - each treatment is designed to nurture your whole being.
These therapies don’t just feel good in the moment; they can create lasting changes in how you feel, cope, and show up in the world.
Caring for Yourself Supports Everyone You Care For
When you invest in your wellbeing, you gain more than physical relief. You feel more grounded, more present, and more able to respond rather than react. That inner calm ripples outwards - improving how you engage with others. Looking after yourself isn’t selfish - it’s foundational.
A Thank You to Teachers 💛
As someone who has stood where you stand, I see you and I honour all that you give. That’s why I’m offering 10% off all holistic treatments for teachers. Just bring along your school ID or proof of your teaching role to your session. Call the clinic on 0141 887 0444 to book an appointment and claim your 10% off by quoting "10% off for Teachers".
Whether you need rest, reset, or relief, I’d love to welcome you into a peaceful, nurturing space where you can simply be.
Let’s refill your cup - one breath, one massage, one moment at a time.
Written by Caitlin McKean
¹ Reference: Field, T. (2014). Massage therapy research review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 20(4), 224–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.07.002
