20 Aug Stress Relief for Teachers
With school starting back, it is prime time for high stress. Even if you managed to get over the first day jitters, chances are the daily stress of returning to work has you feeling a little out of balance. Work stress is perfectly normal, and teachers may be more prone to stress than other professions. However, just because it’s normal doesn’t mean you should try to manage that stress. Stress relief for teachers is vital, especially if you are prone to stress or have conditions like chronic pain. Stress can make a whole host of conditions worse, including chronic pain, so it’s important to work to manage your stress for a balanced, healthy life. Use these tips to keep your stress in check this school season.
Take time for yourself
When was the last time you took a moment for yourself? When did you last do something just because you wanted to with no guilt? If it’s been so long you can’t remember, you should probably ask yourself why. It’s important to remember to take some time for yourself. Practicing self-care can mean many different things. It can mean reading a book just for fun, watching an episode of a favorite TV show, having dinner with a friend or anything else that helps you recharge. Taking time out of your week for yourself is essential to a healthy lifestyle and promotes your overall wellness.
Try deep breathing or meditation exercises
Do you feel like you haven’t taken a true, deep breath all day? It can be easy to feel this way. Especially since teachers rely on speaking so much, it can feel as though you’ve taken short, shallow breaths throughout your day. Of course, if you feel you are having trouble breathing, you should talk to your doctor right away. However, for many people, taking deep breaths just isn’t part of a daily routine. However, deep breathing or practicing meditation can actually help reduce stress and ease the mind. Try following some of these deep breathing exercises to re-center yourself, focus on your breath and reduce your stress.
Remember why you teach
It can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks of teaching. This can make your work seem like just a job. However, it’s important to remind yourself why you do what you do. What gets you out of bed in the morning? Why do you love teaching? Reconnecting with these thoughts can help remind you to enjoy what you do, even during difficult days or weeks. However, if you feel like your motivation is so low or you have changes in your thinking or moods, it might be time to talk to a behavioral health specialist, who can help you manage stress, depression, anxiety and more.
Stress relief for teachers
How will you manage your stress this school year? Remember, if you feel like you can’t control your stress, feelings or mood, you should talk to your doctor. If you have conditions like chronic pain, managing your stress is particularly important, since stress can make chronic pain symptoms worse. Remember that stress is normal, especially for teachers, and you can manage normal stress by connecting with your breath, practicing self-care, focusing on why you love what you do and more.
For more information on The Pain Management Group, please visit thepainmanagementgroup.com or schedule an appointment at one of our locations throughout Middle Tennessee.
We are committed to providing individualized care and vow to treat each patient with compassion and respect, never turning anyone away. Our physicians are fellowship-trained pain specialists who utilize a combination of interventional procedures and medication management services to tailor a personalized care plan for each patient’s long-term pain relief.
