We are used to healthy debate on Teacher Support Network's discussion forums, but little could have prepared us for the response we received, when one of our 'Tweechers' asked the question recently: "What do you say to people who argue teachers 'get summers off' and shouldn't complain about the hours?"

The replies were quick and unambiguous:

"Tell them teaching is a lifestyle not a job. I don't clock on at 8am and clock off at 5pm," explained one teacher. "Agree, definitely a lifestyle. Can't remember the last time I had a weekend to myself EXCEPT in the holidays" replied another. "I go in for a day or two in half terms, Easter and Xmas to catch up with marking and display work" justified a third.

The responses themselves came as little surprise to us, where 'Work-life balance' and 'Time management' are among the most read factsheets in our InfoCentre. Yet, perhaps, more remarkable was the apparent acceptance, at least on our social networking sites, that working evenings, weekends and holidays are an inherent part of a teachers 'lifestyle'.

Many accepted that these prolonged working hours were necessary to be fully prepared. As one respondent put it: "I would like to point out that many teachers go into school during the summer holidays. They also make resources, plan lessons and get themselves prepared for the next cohort"

Consequently, many told us that far from feeling rested after their summer, they felt 'wound up' as they head back to the classroom, even before the school year starts afresh.

At the same time as this holiday debate raged online, the press in Scotland reported on the risk of teacher burnout, while a council in Wales counted the £1 million cost of the stress-related absences of its teachers and council staff.

Given the responses of the overworked teachers in our forum, is it any wonder that teachers have some of the highest levels of burnout among all the professions and stress is the leading cause of work-related illness in the education sector in the UK?

Surprisingly though the best way for teachers to avoid burnout and stress could be through work itself.

A new study from the University of Kent in association with Teacher Support Network suggests one way for teachers to reduce the risk of stress at work and to feel happier is for teachers to set themselves career goals.

The study revealed that teachers who set high performance standards for themselves had higher levels of wellbeing: they felt emotionally and mentally energetic and they were emotionally invested in their work. Similarly, teachers with a goal to advance their professional development had higher levels of mental energy and were more emotionally invested in their work.

Crucially, however, the study makes clear that these performance standards need to come from the individuals themselves and not from colleagues and superiors. In fact, teachers who felt that other people demanded more than they were capable of giving had higher levels of stress, stress-related ill health and burnout and lover levels of wellbeing.

At Teachers Support Network, we believe that great teachers are made in part by the environments in which they work. Teachers must be fully supported and developed throughout their careers, but not overworked, so that they, and by extension our children, can reach their full potentials.

Teaching is a rewarding if challenging lifestyle and there should be little discussion that you all deserve a holiday.

10 tips to help you set your goals:

• Set your own goals
• Make your goals SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable, time specific)
• Write down the key goals you are working towards
• Discuss these goals with managers and SMTs to make sure they are clear and achievable
• Ensure resources are available to achieve these goals
• Plan your time with monthly, weekly and daily plans
• Know when you are at your best and schedule the most demanding tasks for that time
• Bear in mind future work that will be generated (i.e. marking)
• Make sure deadline dates are known and agreed in advance
• Do not criticise yourself if things are not good enough - you will learn and do better next time