MUST READ: Stress Management for Teachers
What is Stress?
Stress, defined
- mentally or emotionally disruptive or upsetting condition
- in response to adverse external influences
- capable of affecting physical and emotional well-being
What brings stress?
Wearing too many hats can be really fun. . . but stressful too!
As an educator in action, We play many roles at the same time.
As Teachers we are:
- Caregivers
- Counselors
- Nurses
- Pencil–pushers
- Coaches
- Administrators
- Program designers
- Trainors, faciliators
- Teachers with meetings to attend Tons of paperwork
As teachers, we are models of good behavior
We dress up.
We speak right.
We act right.
We live right.
We bring home our work. And the list can go on.
What could stress do to us?
- Fatigue
- Increased blood pressure
- Loss of focus
- Irritability
- Lack of motivation
- Depression
- BURNOUT
- Unhappy Person
Let’s have self-check.
A glimpse of ourselves and the stressors around us
Write
4 for Always
3 for Frequently
2 for Sometimes
1 for Never
Self –Check Results
Above 60:
You may be a candidate for heart disease. Consult your doctor.
You should:
- Set realistic expectations for yourself.
- Focus on the process rather than the results.
- Focus on successes rather than on failures.
- Be realistic about time expectations and perspectives.
- Recognize that you will be criticized more than praised by parents, partners, and supervisors.
- Make your work/study area more stimulating
- Do paperwork immediately. Don’t procrastinate.
- Ask others for positive feedback.
- Develop a hobby and spend time on it regularly.
- Keep physically fit — good diet and adequate exercise.
- Spend time in active family activities.
Between 51 and 60:
Your stress level is marginal and you are bordering on being excessively tense
Between 31 and 50:
- You demonstrate a good balance in your ability to handle and control stress.
- Keep up the good work.
- Teaching must be a rewarding career.
Between 20 and 30:
- Chances are that you are nonproductive or your life lacks stimulation.
- Is teaching the career you should pursue?
Stressors are ever-present!
When the disparity between stressors and our ability to cope becomes great – BURNOUT!
Stress Management: Is there a real need for it?
Here is the Strategy
Identifying the sources of stress in your life.
Think about the ways you currently manage and cope with stress in your life –
Habits, attitude, and excuses – PROCRASTINATION
Accept responsibility for the role you play in creating or maintaining your stress.
Avoid unnecessary stress
There are a number of stressors in life that can eliminated.
Learn how to say “no.” Avoid people who stress you out. Take control of your environment. Avoid hot-button topics. Pare down your to-do list.
Alter the situation
If you can’t avoid a stressful situation, try changing the way you communicate and operate in your daily life.
Express your feelings, compromise, assert, manage your time better.
Adapt to the stressor
Change your expectations and attitude.
Reframe problems.
Look at the big picture.
Adjust your standards.
Perfectionism is a major source of avoidable stress.
Focus on the positive.
Ask for Help
Take time to talk to others – your people resources – and plan. Set up routines and duties.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Focus on the essential
Don’t Play the Teacher at Home.
Take Time for Yourself
Pamper yourself in small ways.
- AROMATHERAPY
- GO TO THE SALON.
- PLAY GAMES.
- FOLLOW YOUR INTERESTS.
- EXERCISE.
Remember Why You Teach
“I teach in order to make a difference for children and to share myself with the world.
I keep these reasons for teaching close to my heart.”
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