How to Manage Stress...

 We all know that stress can ruin even the best laid plans.  Many careers have come to a screeching halt (or slowed down considerably) due to stress.  Many of us even know people who have had major career changes due to high stress levels at what they once thought to be their “dream” job.  What can be done to manage stress before it takes over your life?  Here are a few ideas…

1.  Identify situations that cause you stress - can you control them?  Most often if they are causing you stress it’s  because you can’t control them.  When a stressful situation strikes have a list of stress reducing activities at the ready to help you manage - take deep breaths, meditate, go for a walk, practice positive mental imaging.

2. Plan your priorities - Take care of the most important tasks and people first.

3. Let it go!  Don't over analyze situations.  Don't assume the worst in a situation.  Talk to people if you’re not sure you understand what they said or their intentions.  Keep positive!

4. Be able to say “no”.  Don’t commit to a task/activity just to be liked or accepted by someone.

5. Let go of your past mistakes.  Nobody's perfect. Accept that you are human and move on.

6. Let your anger and frustration out.  If someone or something has upset you, discuss it!  Nothing is ever solved by keeping it bottled up. Talk it out - then let go. Don't hold a grudge, it just zaps your energy and weighs you down.

7. Think positive and smile more.  Try to find the good in even the most stressful of situations.  Research has shown that smiling not only helps others respond more positively toward you, but smiling actually sends signals to your brain that help to remove stress!

8. Take care of yourself!  Get plenty of rest, eat healthy foods, exercise daily and drink lots of water.  This is information we’ve all heard before but how many of us make time for ourselves to really do this?

9. Focus on the kids.  When you’re in the classroom - shut out all the other “stuff” and just enjoy teaching and helping students reach their full potential.  After all that’s the reason we got into teaching in the first place, for the kids right?