Objective and method. An increased percentage of German schoolteachers suffers from psychosomatic symptoms. In 2002/2003 a federation of Bavarian schoolteachers conducted 1-day health retreats for teachers. Socio-demographic data, subjective levels of workload, burn-out and motivation to change individual health behaviour (transtheoretical model) were recorded. Results. Two-thirds of 639 participants reported elevated severe occupational stress, and about 20% felt "burn-out"; 40% fulfilled the criteria for an early stage of motivation ("preparation") and less than 20% a more advanced motivational stage ("action"). Conclusion. In terms of changes in health behaviour, 1-day health retreats for teachers attracted an interested (70%) but little advanced target group. The results suggest that specific preventive interventions be tailored to individual stress experiences and motivational stages. Content-related, methodological and political implications are discussed.