Stress Management For Teachers

I just read that almost 90% of teachers have moderate to high levels of stress.  This means they are high risk candidates for heart attacks and high blood pressure among other illnesses.  The reasons teachers have stress are numerous; from unruly students, uncooperative parents, expectant administrations, overcrowded classrooms, diminishing budgets, and then there is the ever present assessment testing.  The list is endless - face it, teaching is not an easy profession.

If teachers don’t use some sort of stress relief the result can be headaches, anger, heartburn, insomnia, depression, impatience, back pain, frequent illness and the list goes on.  As mentioned earlier these can turn into high blood pressure and heart disease.  Stress has been shown to damage memory and thinking skills.

The article I read stated that nearly half of all teachers quit before they have been teaching five years because they weren’t taught how to deal with stress.  Seems to me like that might be a good thing to learn during their training.

Stress management techniques are easily learned and utilized so there is hope for the teachers of this country to enhance their health and their occupation.

It should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with this blog that one of the methods to relieve stress is to Work Out.  Regularly!  Set aside time every day to do a little physical exercise and then stick to the schedule.  While it may seem difficult to find the time at first, the resulting energy and efficiency will soon convince you.

No is a good word though saying it may be hard on new teachers who think they must do anything asked of them to keep their job.  As has been mentioned it is the new teachers who succumb to stress and quit.

Find a place on the internet to get advice from other teachers who have had the same experiences.  Discussion boards and forums abound on the internet and they are anonymous so no job is jeopardized.

Positive self talk - at all times - and when possible out loud can have a dramatic impact on life.  Positive aloud self talk in the morning while getting ready for work, on the way to the classroom, about the students, the job, and about co-workers will make the day go much smoother.

Last but not least, don’t forget those all important breaks.  I know teachers aren’t given much time between classes and feel they must work straight through the day but be sure to take advantage of “conference time” to unwind a little.  Maybe go outside for a quick walk or talk with other teachers about something other than teaching.  The same goes for the all important lunch break.  Be sure to eat a healthy meal and if possible take another trip outside.  Try not to work during lunch.  Take a break at the end of the day to do other stress management techniques such as stretching, deep breathing and visualization before heading home.
There are many stress relieving techniques you can use to improve your health and your career here.