I think one thing I can do to cope with stressors that I cannot eliminate is to excersise more. I often use sharing as a coping mechanism...but realize that sometimes my friends and family may need a break from my venting. Going for a run or a walk around the neighborhood would be a great way to release stress.
This sounds like a recipe for success Philipp. Glad to hear you've build in time for friends and family as this is something that often gets overlooked!
I am already doing things differently to assist me in a longer healthier life i.e. exercizing for 1 hour everyday, eating a healthier diet, and spending as more time with friends and family, and making sure to get at least 8 hours of rest everyday.
I think part of what helps people cope with their stress, is understanding which of the stressors can be eliminated (then eliminating them), which ones can't and why they can or can't.
Not dwelling on the things you can't change, in and of itself, reduces stress.
Sounds great Cynthia! These two things alone will make a huge difference in coping with stress!
exercising a lot more. Getting a good night's sleep.
Keeping things interesting can seriously help you stay focused and keep going! I like the approach Jennifer.
Closing your office door and just hamming out tasks for a few hours really can be an effective method. If you don't have an office, there are other methods that work too. I have seen polite signs on cubes for example that communicate 'do not disturb.'
This is a great approach Anjali. It sounds like this helps you focus on both being a great instructor and a great mom.
I cope with stress by remaining focused. In fact, I like to spend of a couple of hours a day isolated in an office, undisturbed, where I can work very efficiently and complete a lot of tasks. This allows me to create free time for other activities during the day.
One of the major stressor I can't eliminate is the workload as I am not able to delegate a portion of it. As I have a fairly flexible schedule, I manage to diversify my work throughout the day to keep my work interesting and motivating.
I have a 4 year old and it's nearly impossible to get any work done at home (reading for class, grading homework/tests, online training, etc.)It used to be a huge stressor. To reduce it I have made an effort to find a quiet spot at the work place. Now, before picking up my son from school I spent some time getting my work done. Even tough it's a little extra time at work, I go home feeling relaxed that I will get to spend quality time with my family and that I am prepared for the class next day.
I am already practicing these approches to stress management, I find them very effective.
Yes! Most everyone enjoys a good walk.
Take your dog,kid or anyone for a walk. Find something you love to do and enjoy a few minutes every day.
Great strategy Alison. And yes, sometimes just a few minutes a day dedicated to you is all you need to recharge.
Pets are awesome Dorothy! And you are right, spending some time with a pet can really help reduce stress. They enjoy it too!
These are great points Tony. I actually feel that working 14 hours a day is physically demanding, even if you are just standing in front of a classroom or sitting at your desk.
It seems that some stresses have no solution at all. One is working 14 hours a day for weeks or months at a time. Though an insructors job is not physically demanding, working so many hours for so long can become a life changing event. The challenge is to be an instructor most of the day, then change role to a parent\cook\tudor\entertainer\housekeeper\gardner etc, and then find time to get some rest and sleep. Working under these conditions is both mentally and physically demanding and very stessfull. It also has a drastic affect on family life. In this situation this module hasn't help at all.
