Teachers always have a huge responsibility. Having been entrusted with the well-being, discipline and education of a classroom full of children pressure are there and sometimes, stress comes up. Obviously, several causes of teacher stress are pupil’s behavior, parents and loads of work.
Stress is a part of everyday life that is not only normal but also essential. However prolonged stress becomes distress and eventually takes its toll. The effects of stress are many and contribute to a large variety of illness from headaches and stomachaches to cancer and heart problems.
A factor in determining the quality of life is your ability with stress by applying some stress relief strategies.
If you are run down and worn out, your ability to cope with teacher stress can be severely hampered. Outside the classroom, here are some of stress management techniques that you can use to relieve stress:
- Physical is outmost importance in dealing with stress. Exercise increase the blood flow to vital organs and delivers more oxygen to the brain. This enables you to think more clearly and cope with stresses you encounter in teaching and life itself.
- Have balance diet. Poor nutrition can have devastating effects on your body and severely limit your ability to scope with stress. Follow a well balance and nutritional diet and limit your intake of sugar, soft drinks, coffee, tea, cookies, etc.
- Take a good sleep. Get a good night’s sleep and maintain a regular schedule, avoid naps. Alcohol and coffee affect your sleep patterns.
- Relax. Try different relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga and other breathing techniques.
- Take charge of your time. By managing to utilize your time better, you can increase your effectiveness and therefore decrease your stress levels.
Discipline, or lack of it, is also a major contributor to stress levels. Establishing classroom rules can prevent many discipline problems and help to achieve stress relief for teachers.
Stress is normal. It is part of life. Try not to take ourselves and others too seriously, we can cope with many of life’s problems.
By: Marivic S. Sambo | T-I | Antonio G. Llamas Elementary School
