According to the British Journal of Educational Psychology
(1993 Jun;63 ( Pt 2):261-70), "Results revealed that the majority
of teachers sampled, 72.6 percent, were experiencing moderate
levels of stress, and 23.2 percent serious levels." What that
boils down to is that teaching is a stressful job. It is a rewarding
and satisfying job, but nonetheless, stressful. It is important
to take care of yourself physically and mentally to be able to
deal with the stressors in your life. Not only does stress come
from teaching, but juggling your own kids and family as well.
Take a look at this guide to reducing your stress level, and see
if you can implement even a couple of these ideas to help make
you feel more relaxed.
Stress Busters
- Try getting up at least 15 minutes earlier each morning to
have some time to yourself. You can make coffee or stretch before
anyone else in the house gets up.
- Prepare for your next day the prior evening before you go
to bed. Waking up in the morning knowing that you are ready
helps make things run more smoothly.
- Instead of trying to remember multiple things in your head,
write them down. " Practice saying "no" to people. No one expects
you to be able to do everything, so don't even try.
- Keep a journal. Writing out your feelings is a great way to
reduce stress. Seeing your problems on paper often times leaves
them there.
- Think of ways to practice preventative measures, such as making
duplicate keys to avoid being locked out of your car or house,
and fixing things around the house or classroom that have the
potential to breakdown on you.
- Prepare meals on the weekends and freeze them to be used during
the week. Simple meals can be just as nutritious as extravagant
meals.
- Know your goals in life and set priorities. Having direction
makes situations more worthwhile.
- When given a large task to complete, break it down into smaller
steps. It won't look so overwhelming if you try this.
- Reduce clutter in your home and classroom. Get rid of things
that you know you will never use again, or at least find a way
to neatly store them away, if you cannot come to throw them
away.
- Uplift other people in your life. Say nice things about them.
This goes a long way in making you feel distressed, too.
- Say positive things about yourself. Believe in what you are
doing, and remind yourself that you are making an impact on
kids who rely on you. You are pretty important, eh?
- Take a warm bubble bath to ease tension. " Develop a hobby
that makes you feel good. Some people like to read as a hobby,
while others prefer to do something with their hands. Find your
niche.
- Give your appearance a new makeover. Getting a new hairstyle
or treating yourself to a new outfit is okay!
- Consider joining a gym or practice meditation. Breathing exercises
are also recommended to reduce stress.
As long as you are a teacher you will feel some effects of stress
in your life. You have to make a personal decision that you will
take measures to reduce your stress. The people around you may
not change, so you are the one who has to do the changing. Stress
is not only a mental factor, but a physical factor as well. Taking
care of your body and mind is paramount. Eating a healthy diet
and putting optimistic thoughts into your head is certainly beneficial.
It takes practice, but you're worth it!