Get Your Students Hired
Charlene, It sounds like you know what you need to do in order to better cope with stress. Now it's time to implement some of this thinking. I might recommend gradually starting to cut back on the coffee. Rome wasn't built in a day.
Dr. Melissa Read
When I am stressed about something it is very hard for me to let it go. I am constantly thinking about the stressor and getting more and more worked up until I can deal with the situation, whether it is a student or an employee. I have learned that using breathing exercises when I am trying to fall asleep at night helps significantly. I fall asleep much quicker and tend to not toss and turn all night.
To better cope with my stress, I need to exercise when I have time and my diet needs to be better. I find myself drinking a lot of coffee to stay awake and I don't drink enough water. I need to change that and prioritize my time better too!
I am very guilty of using negative coping mechanisms, caffeine and nicotine have been a mainstay. These items will be replaced with exercise and physical activity, as well as eating properly
I will be more out spoken to my fellow workers to help me cope with the streeors in my life.
When dealing with stress in my life I try to deal with the situation at the time. when it seems to be too much I have a few colleagues that I trust to talk it thorugh and they give me ideas on how to handle it. i also confide in my family at home and seek their advice. Theses seem to help me and i will continue to work out stress in this way.
Laura, I think you have a healthy outlook on your current state, your goal state and how to get to a better place in life. That's a great to know. Yes, it takes time to completely eliminate bad habits. This is particularly true during the holiday season when we break from our routines.
Dr. Melissa Read
Joshua, Twenty minutes of exercise may not seem like a lot but can make a huge impact on both your health and your outlook. Sounds like a wonderful plan and I hope you enjoy the full benefits!
Dr. Melissa Read
Tracy, Go ahead and give both of these methods a try! Some people look at them and think they are so easy that they can't make an impact. This is not the case!
Dr. Melissa Read
Margaret, Indeed! It is wonderful to proactively start our day with a little time for us. While in terms of the time we have, it's a brief setback, we often find ourselves ahead in the end.
Dr. Melissa Read
I am going to try to incorporate at least 20 minutes a day of exercise. I also love the idea of creating a stress list and trying to identify causes of stress that I can eliminate.
I am in the beginning stages of a walking/jogging program. I am learning to recognize negative stress reactions and not give into them (for instance, a sudden strong craving for Reeses Peanut Butter Cups right after a negative encounter with a coworker or a student). I am also learning to recognize how the stressors from work and my personal life feed off of one another.
I usually talk with a friend or family member. If this option is not available, I love relying on a one-mile walk.
I've never given breathing exercises or stretching a whole lot of credence. I may take these ideas more seriously, since there is so much more stress in my life.
I have been incorporating more awareness into my bad go-to habits. For example, when I am stressed I automatically reach for the sugar: M&M's, cookies, etc. By trying to stop myself before I reach out for the sugar-laden treats I can avaoid another stree-weight gain!
One of the things I have learned is that it is OK for me to fail at this...it's going to take me time to stop the old habit and learn the new.
I have found that going to teh gym in the morning
and doing excerise clears the Brain and relieves stress