Get Your Students Hired
Daniel, It sounds like you could be teaching this course!!! Thanks for sharing your detailed perspective. I agree that it's about how we prepare to manage stress that defines us, and not the stress we experience itself.
Dr. Melissa Read
Richard, It sounds like you have a good sense of your current situation and know what you need to do in the future. Sometimes starting new coping mechanisms can be tough, particularly around the holidays. I might recommend starting slow and working your way up. While the new year is a natural choice for getting new things started, the very best time is actually now.
Dr. Melissa Read
Certain stressors in life are inevitable but the idea is how to effectively manage them. As mentioned in the module you can change the route that you commute or even alter you schedule to avoid such traffic snarls. Another mechanism to relieve stress is to engage in an activity that you enjoy and is healthy. Such activities could include walking, cycling or such less physical activities as cooking, gardening and even volunteering at local events. Stretching along with specific breathing tecniques also offer enormous stress relief. Ensuring that you get adequate sleep will enormously reduce your physical stress and enable you to more effectively deal with strssors. Finally I would say that if you are prepared to encounter stress and know how to manage it you will become more productive and have a higher quality of life while reducing your chances of becoming physically ill.
Reflecting on the stressors in my life, I will need to introduce exercise and stretching into the regiment. I have been already implementing many of the other tactics on a regular basis to relieve stress. The results have been typically short term.
Bo, It sounds like you have a few great ways to manage stress. That's wonderful to hear. As for your coffee drinking, most things are ok in moderation.
Dr. Melissa Read
Yes. a long with exercise.
I try not to drink too much coffee.
Also try to have health food.
Jessica, It sounds like you have a great routine already in place and a good vision for the future. Now it's time to get started. I recommend easing in to an earlier bed time. Just moving the time up by 15 minutes a night can get you where you need to be without feeling like to drastic of a change.
Dr. Melissa Read
Bryan, I know it's a tough one to fit in. Some people try to combine exercise with other tasks on their lists. For example, they take a conference call during a walk, or catch up with a friend during that time. For those with children, exercising together can be a great way to spend time and stay fit.
Dr. Melissa Read
make sure you use all of the resources that are available to you, and stive to prioritize events of students that you have an influence on
excercise is my greatest challenge because of time management. It seems I can never fit it in my busy schedule, but I'm going to try and do better
Robert, Yes, exercise is a healthy coping mechanism indeed. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the best exercises as I know there are a lot of differences in what works for students in my class.
Dr. Melissa Read
I already exercise regularly during the week and practice deep breathing on my commute to work, which has helped tremendously. In the future, I see that I definitely need to learn to turn the computer off and just go to bed at a decent hour. I think getting more sleep will significantly reduce my stress at work.
Roseanne, TV can be super time consuming. Just limiting yourself to 30 minutes a day of TV can help a lot. There are so many great things you can be doing to help your child. Getting outside for fresh air, offering homework help and giving floor time are some of the many things you can do.
Dr. Melissa Read
Victor, Those are two wonderful outlets and a pretty popular topic of conversation in these forums. A lot of instructors ask about who they can talk to and specifically, who to trust. I'm curious to hear about any perspectives in that area.
Dr. Melissa Read
Erica, Thanks for sharing. It sounds like you have a lot of great outlets. That's wonderful to hear. I really like the idea of keeping a journal. I can see how it would help to reflect on each day and really understand what is causing you the most stress.
Dr. Melissa Read
I am trying to get more organized and watch less TV. That way more of my future time will be productive. I tend to procrastinate. I want to spend more productive time helping my child.
it depends on what kind of stress it is for me i like the talking to someone or exorcising coping mechanisms
Exercise is the best way to deal with stress. Exercise will act as a differential behavior for other unhealthy coping mechanisms (such as over-eating, alcohol consumption, drug use) and produces its own dopamine/serotonin reward through use.