Stress Relief Tips for Teachers

A normal day in the life of a teacher can be pretty hectic as it involves handling a lot of things simultaneously, be it challenging students or overcrowded classrooms or demanding administrators, the list is never-ending. No wonder studies show that 50 % of the US teachers quit the teaching profession in the first five years. The teachers feel stressed and don't know what to do. Do you find yourself in a similar situation? If yes, it is time to take some action as stress can disrupt not only your professional life but also your personal life.

Stress Management for Teachers

Are You in the Right Profession?
Before learning how to manage stress, ask yourself, "Am I in the right profession?" and be honest with yourself. Are you genuinely concerned about the well-being of your students? Do you feel a real bond with your students which goes beyond teaching? Does imparting knowledge and sharing your experiences with children make you proud of yourself? If the answer to all these questions is yes, then indeed you are on the right path. If not, it is recommended that you rethink about your career choice.

Classroom Management
The reason for your stress could be the discipline problems you face in the class. Attend a workshop or read a book on classroom management strategies and apply them. Classroom management strategies can be pertaining to behavior management, classroom time management and classroom rules or they can be simple communication strategies. A combination of these, if used effectively, will surely eliminate discipline problems and the resultant job stress that you face.

Building Relationships
Know your students well and try to connect with them on a personal level. Understand the strengths and weaknesses of each of your students and motivate them accordingly. Make learning an interesting, humorous and positive experience for your students by including some fun elements in the lesson plans. Learn to laugh at yourself. Once the students start to like you, your troubles will start melting away. Build meaningful relationships in your personal life too. Make friends and share your thoughts, experiences, ideas and goals with them. It will surely lift your spirits.

Breathing Exercises during Breaks
Taking regular breaks in between working hours, even if it is only for a few minutes, is one of the best stress relievers for teachers. Practice breathing exercises in these breaks or you may also practice them with your students in the class. Here is a simple breathing exercise. Close your eyes and inhale. Feel your belly and chest expand. Hold your breath for about five seconds and exhale. Repeat it 10 times. This is easy and will surely recharge your batteries.

Exercising and Meditating
This is one of the best stress relief activities for teachers. Devote only 15-30 minutes to exercise and meditation everyday and you will see how stress free they can make you. Do aerobics, jogging, walking or any kind of physical activity that you enjoy. Visualization has proven to be one of the most effective stress reduction techniques. Focus on any image or thought and forget about everything else. This will mentally remove you from the source of your stress.

Practicing Yoga or Reiki
Yoga, an ancient Indian meditative practice and reiki, a Japanese art of healing, are very effective relaxation techniques for stress relief which have been practiced since ages. Yoga includes lots of asanas, pranayama and meditation. Reiki increases the body's natural abilities through transfer of energy from a Reiki practitioner to the affected person. Both yoga and reiki provide stress relief. But remember to learn these techniques from an expert and never try them at home without proper supervision.

Massage Therapy
Massage therapy provides relaxation to the body. Massages rejuvenate the body by improving the blood circulation. Pamper yourself by getting a massage from a professional. Alternatively, take a bubble bath at home. Draw a bath with lukewarm water. Add bath salts and aromatherapy oils to it. Keep scented candles all around and your relaxing bath will be ready.

Self Motivation
Self motivation is important. Celebrate being a teacher. Pat yourself on the back for making a difference to other people's lives. Watch inspirational movies like Renaissance Man, Stand and Deliver and To Sir with Love, which have teachers as the protagonists. Reward yourself even for the small victories that you achieve in your professional life.

Pursuing a Hobby
Take up a hobby. Pursue candle making or pottery or even sports if that is what releases your tension. Music therapy and dance therapy have proved very beneficial in combating stress. So join a dance class or a music class. Music will have a calming effect on you. Do gardening or simply keep some plants on your window sill. Nurturing the plants will surely make you stress free. Take a walk in the park, go to the beach or simply spend some time gazing at the moon. Doing things that you like to do will surely divert your attention and make you feel good about yourself.

Making Time for Yourself
Manage your time well by proper planning and prioritizing your work. This way you will be able to keep some time solely for yourself. Take care of your diet by including lots of vegetables and fresh fruits. Sleep for at least 7-8 hours at night. Change your appearance a bit. Get a new haircut, manicure or pedicure. Once in a while, do things only for yourself.

Teachers are very important and valuable to our society. Hence, stress management for teachers is of utmost importance. Here's hoping that these tips will replenish you physically, mentally and emotionally. As Carin Tartness puts it, "Give your stress wings and let it fly".