Being a teacher I do believe that teachers always have a huge responsibility.  Having been entrusted with the well-being, discipline and education of classroom full of children, pressures are there and sometimes, stress comes up.  A factor in determining the quality of life is your ability with stress by applying some stress relief strategies.

                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  stress.  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 mind are certainly beneficial. It takes practice, but you’re worth it!

                If you are run down and worn out your ability to cope with teacher stress can be severely hampered.  Here are some of the tips or stress management techniques that you can use to relieve stress:

• Have Personal Journal – Writing out your feelings is a great way to reduce stress. Stating your problems on paper often times leaves them there.
• Know your goals in life and set priorities – Having direction makes situations more worthwhile.
• Exercise – Physical fitness is of utmost importance in dealing with stress.  It increases the blood flow to vital organs and delivers more oxygen to the brain.  This enables you to think more clearly and cope with the stresses you encounter in teaching and life itself.
• Have a Blessed Diet – Prepare meals on the weekends and freeze them to be used during the week. Simple meals can be just as nutritious as extravagant meals. Follow a well-balanced diet and limit your intake of sugar, soft drinks and coffee.
• Take a Good Sleep – Maintain a regular schedule and avoid naps, alcohol those that affects your sleep pattern.  Following the good night hour for sleep will be a big help.
• 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 level.

Discipline starts within us; break down whatever you have to do into smaller tasks. If you have to tackle a beast, carve it into nibble-sized hors d’oeuvres and think of things that make teaching fun for you – and bear in  mind “ I Can Do It!, You Can Do It!, We All Can Do It!

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By: Mildred P. Adame | Teacher III | Cabcaben Elementary School