Talking about my problems has always been difficult for me. However, when pushed to do it I always feel better. My husband has a great sense of humor and we end up joking about my problems.
Another geat stress reliever for me is to go for a walk with my dog. Just being outside helps me let go og the day.
From the readings, I can tell that something that I need to work on is my rest. Since my schedule is variable (11:00 a.m. to 8:00p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), I have found myself having problems to get asleep and get the rest I need. Of course, I will wake up next morning tired and with no enthusiasm to front another day at college. Can anybody give me some ideas to establish a regular sleep schedule?
The stressor that is dominant in my life is "spreading myself too thin". I have a tendency to take on additional responsibilities without taking in consideration how much I have on "my plate". I realize that this is a form of being implusive and not thinking before making additional committments.
I have already began a daily exercise plan which gives me an opportunity to be alone, release tension and reflect. Exercising has improved my decision making and allows me to think before taking everything on single handedly. I will also add deep breathing as a relaxation technique.
I agree with Paul – exercising to fit your needs and health condition is important, then progressing from the fundamentals to a more advance plan - I suppose when people begin to think that they don't have enough time for work related issues, they tend to put those issue before personal well-being.
I will begin by reintroducing a daily exercise routine back into my life, I've forgotten how much I use to enjoy exercising and how effective exercising can be in reducing stress and getting back to the fundamentals seems like a good place to start.
I'm also going to implement the breathing exercise into the classroom before each quiz/exam that's administered – I think if “we†all participate together, this may not only reduce quiz anxiety but it may also bring a sense of cohesiveness to the group.
After introducing the two stress reducers as mentioned above I'll work on the mini-break stretch or jumping up and down routine just to break the day-to-day routine.
Good points Dagger. I particularly like your method of assessing the magnitude of the problem. Sometimes, it's easy to get stressed about something that's not really a big deal in the grand scheme of things. You can manage stress by putting some problems into perspective.
I have the coping skill and the process in place to use these. I have taking the time to realize what forces of stress I can control and what I can't. For me the first technique I use is to take a step back and ask myself is this a problem of an ant or an elephant? In responce I say to myself, an ant wont knock you over, but look out for the elephants. If this is a safety or security issue I would make sure to let the proper people know of what is happening. School and the students that go to schhol here should be safe.
Stress is a major concern. It has a big factor to do with the short livings of students, and instructors. I don't want this to happen to me. I try to eat righ, live right and do what I can when I am at work. When I leave work, I turn the key and I need to focus my energy and mind on other issues. I do crafts and read. I spend time more with my family. I try to use myself and the experiences to help other people such as chuch members and neighbors. I feel this is a great way for me to let go of the stress that happens to me when I am dealing with the ups and downs of stress. I try to live as balanced as I can. I try to practice what I preach because when I talk to others about stress, I try to be an example.
I have the coping skill and the process in place to use these. I have taking the time to realize what forces of stress I can control and what I can't. For me the first technique I use is to take a step back and ask myself is this a problem of an ant or an elephant? In responce I say to myself, an ant wont knock you over, but look out for the elephants. If this is a safety or security issue I would make sure to let the proper people know of what is happening. School and the students that go to schhol here should be safe.
Stress is a major concern. It has a big factor to do with the short livings of students, and instructors. I don't want this to happen to me. I try to eat righ, live right and do what I can when I am at work. When I leave work, I turn the key and I need to focus my energy and mind on other issues. I do crafts and read. I spend time more with my family. I try to use myself and the experiences to help other people such as chuch members and neighbors. I feel this is a great way for me to let go of the stress that happens to me when I am dealing with the ups and downs of stress. I try to live as balanced as I can. I try to practice what I preach because when I talk to others about stress, I try to be an example.
To start, I want to add exercise into my lunch time break. I used to go to the gym, bu, because the costs are not affordable to me currently, I think i will just start walking or jogging for a half an hour a day.
And, leaving a few minutes earlier for class, I will not stress out about the traffic or not having time to go over notes.
scott
teaching stress coping techniques is a great support for me in reducing my stressors. The goal now is to try other mechanisms to use when in the acute situation--like learning to deep breathe or using pause as a means of coping until the stressors can be handled in a proper manner.
Live in such a way as to set an example. Making sure I have organization in my work day, with reasonable task list. Understanding that not everything can get done and not worrying when it does not. Assisting the more disorganized student to also work with priorities and task list. Communicating on a regular basis at home and work as to suggestions others might have for stress less and stress free living. Most of all not filling all the spaces in my life with something to do all the time. A little empty space here and there is a great gift.
Sharlette, I think you bring up a good point. Sometimes we have to let go. Understanding this and setting reasonable expectations of what we can and cannot do is a good way to cope with stress. There are only so many hours in the day and (to your previous point) we do not have clones to help us with all the tasks that we don't have time to finish.
Exercise and finding time for sleep are my salvation as far as coping with stress. Another thing is occasionally saying que sara, sara. You fix what you can and let go of the rest.
Richard,
It sounds like you have two very different methods for coping with stress, depending on the situation and environment. This is important. There are some environments in which certain coping mechanisms work better than others. The workplace is a great example. The workplace is no place for a five mile run but it's a great place for deep and purposeful breathing. When you learn to effectively utilize more than one coping mechanism, you gain the ability to use them interchangeably to deal with stress across multiple environments.
I think it is important to schedule time for myself, at least one hour 3-4 times a week for vigorous exercise. I find the going for a 5 mile run helps clear my mind and thing never seem quite a bad when I am finished.
During stressful moments at work I should take a moment to concentrate on deep purposeful breathing as a mini-mediation break.
In order to cope with stressors that cannot be eliminated or reduced I WILL begin an walking exercise routine each day. This will also aid in my overall health issues.
In addition, breathing exercises will be part of each day's classroom lecture time. This will help my students as well as myself. If students are relaxed they are more apt to learn and retain what has been taughted. My school's motto is "Where learning is fun and easy" and that is based on the fact that if you enjoy what is being taught you will retain more. What a win win this is.
Getting the appropriate amount of sleep, on a regular basis, will also be on the top my list of implementing healthy coping mechanisms.
Create more time for myself and enjoy life and girlfriend.
Hmmm...it seems that many people look to exercise as being a very solid method of alleviating stress. I try and swim every morning, and often I find myself simply swimming more because I'm starting to think about all the things I need to deal with in that day and getting stressed about them. I'd say that it's not just the exercise, it's when you actually perform it. So if performing the exercise after a stress full day helps relieve the stress, then have you really eleviated it or are you just putting in temporary stop gaps? I'd say the exercise is good for the body, and the mind will feel good about itself when it knows the body is being looked after. That in turn gives us the confidence in ourselves to deal with our stress. Just my perspective.
Like everyone keeps saying, exercise is the best stress coping mechanism. No matter what our physical abilities are, there are many levels of esercise that can be done. By taking time to exercise, we focus on ourselves and our needs, physically and mentally. This also will help to increase our energy levels. Which, in turn, gives us more ability to focus and concentrate on completing our daily tasks...
The best thing, other than eating right and exercise etc., is quality family time. Making time for your kids (after a long day dealing with high school kids) is the most important way to unwind.
Also, your spouse should hopefully be involved as well. If days go by without focus on what really matters, I find I'm swimming in stress. But if I make an effort to do the family thing before the professsional thing, I'm much better at the professional thing.
And that is my priority, despite any pressure/deadlines/tasks that may need to be done.
