“Stress Busting Secret #1: [MENTAL] Kill Worry By
Accepting the Worst and Working to Improve It.”
It
is impossible for me to turn worry off. I wish there was an on/off switch but
there isn’t. I started keeping a small notebook by my bed and when I wake up
with my mind racing and worry sets in, I jot down the things I’m worried about.
Then I decided that I am leaving it in the notebook and will worry about it
tomorrow. This seems to help me because I can pretend that I transferred the
worry to the book. I know it doesn’t solve the problem or do away with the
worry, but I feel like it gives me a break.
“Secret #2: [MENTAL] Interrupt Negative Thought Loops and
Replace Them With Positive Ones”
I
think we all get in the habit of tearing ourselves down. I was watching an old
Parenthood episode and the grandfather told someone that life has a way of
tearing us down so we shouldn’t do it to ourselves. I have a little daily motto
that I say to myself every morning. When I start feeling bad about myself, I
say this motto in my head.
“Secret #3: [MENTAL] Keep a Joy Journal”
I
don’t write a lot of my joys down even though I wish I would get in the habit.
I do list 3 things that I’m thankful for before I get out of bed each morning.
“Secret #4: [PHYSICAL] Make Sleep a Priority”
This
is hard for me because I don’t sleep well. I wake up at 5am no matter what time
I go to bed so I try to be in bed by 10pm if at all possible. I am trying to NOT using electronics (laptop,
cell phone, iPad) after 8pm.
“Secret #5: [PHYSICAL] Drink Enough Water”
I
am very bad about this because I don’t like water. I do drink unsweetened ice
tea which I know isn’t as good as water. I try to drink one glass of water for
every glass of tea that I drink.
“Secret #6: [PHYSICAL] Exercise (preferably outside)”
I
do love to exercise. I love to walk. I try to walk an hour every day on the
treadmill when we are home because it is easy to get stuck in front of the
computer or the TV. When we travel, we get lots of exercise. I even knit and walk slowly on the treadmill
in the winter.
“Secret #7: [SPIRITUAL] Make Time for Faith”
I
say a lot of prayers throughout the day. It usually gives me peace.
“Secret #8: [RELATIONAL] Develop deep relationships”
I
developed a support system of different people that helps me in days that I
feel down and also who are there that celebrate when I have victories.
“Secret #9: [RELATIONAL] Make Physical Affection Part of
Your Day”
My
husband gives me a hug and a kiss every day. Some of our students never get any
kind of affection but with today’s worries about touching our students, I would
suggest doing high fives or fist bumps. Smaller children are going to hug
whether you like it or not. Sometimes a pat on the shoulder or back is
appropriate. You need to assess your students to determine what is appropriate.
“Secret #10: [TECHNOLOGY] Unplug, Recharge, and Focus”
I
have interests outside the classroom and make sure I nurture these hobbies. I
like to garden, read, travel, knit and spin my own yarn. I try to make time to
do one of these things every day and don’t allow the excuse that “I don’t have
time” to cause me not to do this. I think this is one of the most important
things we can do so we don’t get burned out.
What
other suggestions do you have? What comments would you add to the ones already
listed? Please share.
1 comment:
These are great ideas to help deal with stress. Do you have any recommendations for students dealing with stress? I teach kindergarten special education and I found my students becoming very overwhelmed because of the large emphasis on school work throughout the day. We are rarely able to do "fun" activities.
My co-teacher and I worked through this by giving the students breaks- after each block- where they could dance. We found our class loved Zumba so we added it in our schedule so students knew when they completed their work they would be able to participate in Zumba.
Any other ideas will be helpful! Thank you
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