Healthy Coping
I enjoyed reading about the healthy ways to cope with stress. Coupled with freeing up some of my time, I am looking forward to implement running into my weekly routine so that I can cope with stress in a healthy manner.
Julie, This is an important discovery for you I'm sure. It can be healthy to take a step back every now and then and give yourself a break. Many of my students find that when they return to their tasks after a break, they are in a better position to accomplish them.
Dr. Melissa Read
I eat at my desk as well. I feel much more productive if I use every possible minute. I guess I never realized that by not taking a break it would actually be counter productive.
Working at a tech school with many different types of people from many different walks of life it can be very stressful at times. I find that taking a deep long breath really help me to calm down and focus on the task. This is sometime hard because I can have as many as sixty student in my classroom which can cause alot of my stess. But remembering why I do this is what keeps me grounded,I really enjoy helping people.
I too agree that eating your lunch in an area that is free from school discussion etc. is a great idea! The teachers lounge where I teach is in plain view of the students, so naturally they want to give you late work, ask what grade they got on their test etc. Eating in an area that is free from all that indeed allows you to press the "RESET" button as one blogger stated.
Robert, So true. Some people need to retreat at meal time. It helps us press the reset button and refocus our energy to manage through the rest of the day. Now I must say, 9:30pm is a little late by most people's standards!
Dr. Melissa Read
Robert, So true. Some people need to retreat at meal time. It helps us press the reset button and refocus our energy to manage through the rest of the day. Now I must say, 9:30pm is a little late by most people's standards!
Dr. Melissa Read
I totally agree with using exercise as a stress coping mechanism but I hate exercising so much, how do you not let the idea of exercising discourage you?
Eating lunch (even if lunch is at 9:30pm) in a pleasant setting can really work. On the other hand, driving twenty minutes in somebody else's crowded car to a competitive working lunch just adds to the stress.
I agree. Although I work out from time to time, i tend not to ever run. I believe that running should become part of my weekly routine. It's not my favorite thing to do but I will start doing more of it.
Emily, So true. You are in a nice position as you likely have colleagues who have expertise in massage therapy too! I know that in a lot of career colleges of massage therapy, students often provide massage therapy at a discount to gain experience as well.
Dr. Melissa Read
Exercise is a great way to relieve stress. As a massage therapist I, of course, believe that all people should have massage regularly. It is a great stress reliever that has a tremendous amount of benefits. Also, Learning to relax your body physically when you become stressed is very important.
I bring my lunch to work every day, and I used to eat it at my desk. I have found that if I take my lunch and go to the faculty lounge or to the patio, I tend to have a more relaxing lunch. If I eat at my desk, I tend to respond to emails, grade papers, or other work-related tasks and my lunch break feels wasted and I don't get the reboot that I need.
Elizabeth, Good advice for sure. What's wonderful about breathing is that you can do it anywhere. It's nice to be able to have a coping mechanism in your back pocket at all times.
Dr. Melissa Read
Breathe In. Breathe Out. Just relax.
Cynthia, Sounds like your change of environment created a great change of pace as well. That's wonderful to hear. Yes, there are some vast regional and cultural differences between the east and west coast. Some of us simply fit better in one region or another.
Dr. Melissa Read
When I moved from the east coast to the west coast I was able to slow down and enjoy life more.
I learned so many more coping skills for stress, like staying grounded and simply breathing. If Im feeling stressed at work and dont have mch time I'll do something as simple as taking the steps instead of the elevator and take a few deep breaths.
I think that is an excellent idea. As I was reading through this segment, I realized that adding walking on my lunch hour will really help with my stressors.
