Life Beyond Teaching
Stress Management
An in service day recently featured circus skills and magic tricks as
ways of relieving work related stress for teachers in Aberdeen.
But what works for you?
Different types of stress management work for individuals at different
times. One man's reiki is another woman's ramble or Classic FM.
The important thing is that you identify that you need to be AWARE of
the need to balance life work and find TIME FOR YOU. Working parents are
especially prone to putting themselves last. And, before you know it,
there are grandchildren and ageing parents looking in your direction...
Remember, ferrying teenagers across London is not light relief from league
tables, lesson plans and display boards. Light relief is pure leisure,
time 'to stand and stare' and enjoy the remains of each day.
Share what works for you and inspire others to find their own ways of dealing with stress.
"As the blossom cannot tell what becomes of its fragrance, so no one can tell what becomes of our influence."
- Gardening - each Saturday morning I go to the nursery and buy a few plants. Then I spend the rest of the day in the garden. If the weather's bad I might read gardening books or watch a video. When I retire I hope to study garden design at a local college.
- I go to the gym every Sunday morning and meet a friend for lunch. My ex-husband has the kids.
- Every Sunday my wife and I go to the cinema, without fail. It stops me thinking about work the next day.
- I play Classic FM on the way home. I stop and buy myself a bunch of flowers as a treat every Friday.
- I get up early on Saturday and hit the shops. I walk miles and love being on my own, just wandering round bookstores and window shopping.
- I read in bed every night. I have three books on the go, depending on the mood I'm in.
- The best thing I ever did was employ a cleaner. She comes on Fridays and I walk in the door and everything's sorted. It doesn't look like my home at all. I used to bottle up problems but now I confide in a friend once a week. A problem shared really is a problem halved.
- We take it in turns to cook. When it's my partner's turn I have a long, hot bath and read a book. I love my own space.
- It's easier now the children are grown up. Looking back, I don't know how I coped but everyone seemed to have more energy then.
- I wake up early and read in bed with a mug of tea, usually self-help books or holiday brochures. I refuse to think about work.
- I take the dog for a walk, then do some exercises before I shower and get ready for work.
- Yoga - I follow a couple of videos each morning before I get dressed.
- I'm writing a novel - I try to write a few pages every morning to get my brain in gear!
- I treat myself to weekends away, holidays, days out - I keep filling up the diary to have lots to look forward to.
- Dancing - every year I try something new - salsa, belly dancing... I practise when I get home from work before anyone else is home.
- I find I'm too tired to do evening classes but I look out for interesting days on Saturdays at my local college, like Reiki and aromatherapy.
- Radio 4. Permanently.
- Pilates.
- I spend a lot of time reading the TES looking for another job!
- Cooking. I stop at the supermarket and choose what to cook each night. It really switches me off from school.
- Silence. I can't stand any noise after all day at school.
- When I get home I walk the dog and listen to music on headphones.
- I take a new evening class every year - pottery, calligraphy. There's hardly anything I haven't tried.
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| Life Beyond Teaching offers help and support but is unable to take responsibility for individual results |