One thing that I did to get more exercise was find a gyn near our house that was open 24 hrs during the week...My husband and I both go after work in the evening and has helped with stress reduction alon with providing the health benefits of exercise...
I will start to make more use of the gym membership that I have and to talk to those around me who maybe can assist with things that will free up my time and I won't have to be everything to everybody. I will continue talking to my mom every other day for the support that I get from her.
Renita, Sometimes it is better to use the carrot when compared to the stick, but I certainly appreciate your humor! Classroom situations can be stressful indeed.
Dr. Melissa Read
Rita, Nice! So happy to hear that you are able to make time for you. We don't all have that luxury. I can see how going to church and movies are both great escapes.
Dr. Melissa Read
Mark, It's wonderful to find a great radio talk show that we can count on each morning on our commute. Brings interest to our days and often new perspective that we can take with us and use productively in the workplace. Cycling certainly helps too. Like so many hobbies, cycling is a great way to experience so much of what the world has to offer.
Dr. Melissa Read
Ron, These are two great approaches. Thanks for sharing. Yes, it's especially helpful to talk with people who are in your same situation and experiencing similar challenges.
Dr. Melissa Read
The way I cope with stress is find some me time. Go to church or to a movie.
I talk a lot of things out or vent to those I trust. When thing really build up I have a movie night with my husband or take my toddler somewhere to play which always gives me a laugh. Prayer, prayer and prayer. Resist the urge to use the bull whip in the classroom (vet humor).
To cope with stressors that I have no control over, all I can really do is just accept it and acknowledge there is nothing I can do about it
I have a fairly long commute to work. I like to listen to NPR to and from work. It makes the time go faster and I even learn a few things along the way. I'm also an avid cyclist. I find riding reduces stress in my life.
I like to use exercises to help me manage my stress and to speak with other people who may be dealing with the same problem as me.
Carol, At a guess, it will. You might go through withdrawal for the first few weeks but it will be worth it in the end. Hang in there!
Dr. Melissa Read
Ensure you have several methods available to reduce their impact on you physically. Yoga, meditation and breathing are my solutions. I was recently told that Yoga can't solve all your problems. I would say false, it can solve most of them and the other ones can be eliminated over time.
Anne, Small steps toward our end goals often work best. I like your thinking around gradually getting into an exercise routine. You don't need an hour in the gym a day, to your point. Every little bit helps.
Dr. Melissa Read
I am going to try to drink more water and less caffeine and see if that helps.
You know, sometimes stress can be positive but not if it paralyzes you. I tend to procrastinate, but if I know deadlines are coming (and need to be met - I can use that situation (stress) to accomplish a goal such as reports/class prep/meeting with students.
I have started excercising in smaller increments instead of stressing out about not be able to commit an hour a day to the gym
I pack my lunch the night before so I have healthly choices during the day.
I am trying to fit in small amounts of excercise rather then freaking out if I do not spend an hour at the gym.
Also I have packed my lunch the night before so I make sure I have healthly choices for lunch.
Something that has really helped me coping with stress is a simple practice of marking my calendar for all the tasks that I plan including my routine activities like going to gym etc. Once everything is in front me on my calendar, I feel more organized and then I know I will be able to meet my goals.
I am a member of a local Taiko--Japanese drumming, club. I find there's no better stress relieve than to hit a big drum for an hour or two. Before I became a member of this club, I would go on nature walks whenever I felt stressed, which helped a bit. I believe I have found my best stress relieve method in Taiko drumming, and I will stick to this for now.
