Feeling stressed? Don't worry, many teachers feel stress during the spring semester! Here are a few tips to help keep your blood pressure down and keep you out of jail!
Take Time Outs
We give our students time outs when they need a break to cool off and get back on task. Why not give yourself one every now and then? When you're feeling a little hot under the collar and are ready to strangle somebody for something…anything...that's the moment you need to take a TIME OUT! Turn away from the situation, go out into the hallway, and collect yourself. You'll find that even with a small amount of distance, your blood pressure will lower and you will have a fresh look at the situation.
Take Time for YOU!
Our life is not meant to be spent inside grading papers all of the time! You need to take some time for yourself. Leave those papers at school at least one night a week and treat yourself to something fun. Go see a movie, attend a happy hour, cruise the mall, or get to the gym! There's more to life than teaching and, let me tell you, there will ALWAYS be more papers to grade!
Set a Goal, then Pamper Yourself!
Set a goal for yourself such as, I'll plan lessons for next week. Then, when you've reached your goal, pamper yourself! Treat yourself to a nice relaxing bath or a nice dinner out or a great dessert. Although these are things you should be doing for yourself every now and again anyway, you might feel better about doing them if you know that you've accomplished at least one goal!
Five Minute Exercises
If you're feeling exceptionally stressed, try some of these five minute exercises:
- Count slowly to ten. Breathe deeply in on the odd numbers and breathe out on the even numbers.
- Tighten your entire body from head to toes. Then, slowly relax the muscles in your body starting with the toes and working your way up to the neck and shoulder muscles.
- Do a few small circular muscle stretchers with your wrists, ankles, and neck.
- Close your eyes and imagine a place where you feel happy and relaxed. Keep that image in your mind when you are stressed.
Prayer
For those of you who have a faith, a moment of meditation and prayer goes a long way towards serenity.
One last comment to relieve your stress --
Breathe deeply and take a LONG bath!
