Get Your Students Hired
John, Sounds like the Spring season is a really important time for you. Like many instructors, I imagine you get a bit of cabin fever in winter. It's probably not easy to exercise as much in winter - depending on where you live. This makes winters tough. I recommend developing an indoor exercise routine. You can even do your exercise near a window for the vitamin D benefits.
Dr. Melissa Read
Talking it over with someone who may give an overlooked insight into problem, or who can just listen. Having someone who is a sounding board can be therapeutic. Joining a stress management support group can be helpful. Also eating right, exercising regularly and getting adequate sleep are all necessary in fighting stress.
Through out my life I have found exercise to be a great outlet to cope with stress. I used to go to the gym and lift weights. I found that didn't work for me though. I workout out hard and was exhausted, but that time there didn't really make me feel better. Thank goodness the weather is breaking... What I truly like to do to destress after a long week is go for a long hike. I find this type of exercise to be much more beneficial. You are getting Vitamin D from the sun which improves mood, you are exhausting your body, and finally there is nothing more beautiful than standing on the top of a mountain looking down over a scenic view. Anyone who has never tried hiking, I advise you to try it at least once if you like the outdoors. It is very rewarding and there is so much beauty in nature.
Taking a walk and getting away from the situation is a great way for me to cope with stress. I also find that listening to relaxation music helps along with breathing exercises. If I focus on my breathing for a period of time, I forget that I am stressing out and find myself relaxing. I tell myself "In through the nose, out through the mouth, slowly" over and over and it does seem to help.
I think that I will yard work a more regular thing. It is a push mower, so I get excersie. Trimming the bushes will make the yard look better, reducing an embarassing stress, and will refocus me to something relaxing and productive so I will sleep better.
I think it will be better for eliminating the stress of a poorly maitained yard and help me better cope with the other stresses.
I did notice that humor was not on the list of coping strategies. Why is that?
I do a lot now, such as running, biking and swimming which has lead to other ways to deal with stress such as doing marathons and triathalons.
Michael, That sounds like a very healthy approach. Thanks for sharing. I think a lot of instructors could use this 'technique' effectively. Coping with stress doesn't have to be hard, time consuming or exhausting. Sometimes being light hearted and fun works too!
Dr. Melissa Read
lots of times just putting your mind in a different place does wonders for stress, ie the sporting event last night, what you did last weekend, the big wreck at Daytona. Just putting my mind in these places does a world of good. It does take practice thou
I take a few minutes to joke with someone or find a video of my favorite comedian and just laugh it out. Sometimes while working ill think of the jokes or something funny i saw and it definitely helps make the time go faster
I will take a walk, stretch, or do some deep breathing. Everytime I get stressed out at work I try to remeber that these stressers are not the end of the world. My thoughts are that everyday stress is 10% what is hapenning and 90% how I react to it. This helps me more than I can tell you.
James, Sounds like you have developed a healthy strategy for dealing with stressors that cannot be eliminated or reduced. Really glad to hear you have this method in your arsenal. It's something you will likely rely on now and years to come!
Dr. Melissa Read
Nannette, It's great to be able to take a break every now and then, to reorient and to recharge. Instructors often find that they are better at their jobs when they take a step away every once and a while.
Dr. Melissa Read
Some stressors cannot be eliminated so we must learn healthy coping mechanisms to effectively deal with them. I always try to find time for myself to have a quick quiet retreat or water break so I can recharge and return to class energized and excited to continue.
I believe that as I stated in Forum 3 that I am slowly working on solutions to my stressors. I have been teaching for two years with the same school and have never taken a day off until now. I took 2 days off to get caught up with several things work, school, and home related. I also plan to take more time off in the summer. I do know I preform much better after a rest. I have begun to set goals for myself and am seen good results. I just wish I could spend more time with my students but see this happening in the near future.
Rodrigo, So glad to hear you have a good routine for dealing with stress. Yes, tennis is such a great way to relax and unwind. I love the way you are using this sport as a social outlet as well.
Dr. Melissa Read
Gwendolyn, Excellent to hear and a great plan too. When we are transparent with others, we clearly communicate our needs. This can put them in a better position to help us. I also like how you mentioned feeling good both inside and out. It's so important to balance both.
Dr. Melissa Read
I will be more tansparent in the things which bother or concern my health through stress. I will exercise more to feel better inside and out.
The way I have been managing my stress is by doing sports. I play tennis almost every day, weather permitting, so the physical activity helps me reduce the tensions and helps me to take a mental break from my daily routine, which includes the things that cause my stress. Tennis is an activity that I truly enjoy and helps me think on other topics, unrelated to the stress causing ones, when I chat with my fellow players.