Teaching is a stressful job that can lead to depression, emotional issues, and more. To help you manage your stress levels as an educator there are some great tips for reducing the pressure on long days in class. Here are 5 stress-reducing hacks for you!
Some of these may seem obvious, but we ask that you revisit each area and see if you can tweak it to reduce stress.
Stress Reduction Hack #1 - Expanded Lesson Planning
Lesson Planning is a key to being successful. Successful teachers devote enough time in planning and have not failed to realize the importance of it for their own mental health, as well. A key point - when you are ready, you’re not stressed!
Many teachers don’t spend enough time on their lesson plans or have lost interest because they’re not fulfilled with what they do every day. One remedy for this is to make sure that he/she devotes a sufficient amount of hours each week for professional development so as not only to improve teaching skills but also to stay inspired about education altogether.
There can always be improvements made when it comes down to getting better at something like this; sometimes reading other teacher approaches can inspire you to become an even greater teacher than you are right now.
Stress Reduction Hack #2 - Create a Well-Organized Workspace
It is not only important for your physical comfort, but it can also help you stay more focused and efficient. Having everything at hand will allow the room to feel like home so that even when things get hectic outside of work or school hours there’s no need to give up on getting anything done!
Teacher Hack #3 - Fitness and Stress Reduction
The Mayo Clinic has all kinds of advice on its site. In the stress management section, they have an in-depth article about exercise and stress. Bottom line - ANY kind of exercise will act as a stress reliever!
What exercise plan do you have for releasing tension at the end of each day or at lunch?
- Find a friend: Walk with another teacher or stretch before work begins.
- Take a breath break: Use five quiet minutes during lunch to simply breathe and reflect.
- Exercise in short bursts: Try a few 10-minute walks instead of one long session.
Benefits of exercise:
- Pumps up your endorphins
- Reduces stress
- Meditation in motion
- Improves your mood
Teacher Hack #4 - Eating Well, Prepping Your Meals
Think about the last time you went to bed feeling confident that your lunch would be healthy, only then realizing too late that this was not possible. You wake up with an exhausted body and no energy for anything other than getting through work or school quickly.
Between lunch/recess issues, grading, and making copies, you’re lucky to get a break. Eating bites from your sandwich amongst all this craziness is tough — but necessary. Skipping meals leads to burnout, mental fog, and evening binge-eating.
“Lunch is a VERY important meal — not just for energy, but for clarity and balance.”
Teacher Hack #5 - Have You Ever Felt Like Your Emotions Are Out of Control?
We all know there are pharmaceuticals to stay calm. But what about energy and emotion that feels overwhelming — fight, flight, or freeze mode?
The BioElectric Shield works with your energy field to keep you calm and centered amidst chaos. It's promoted as an EMF radiation protection pendant, but it also shields you from emotional stress — including the energy of those around you.
Not sure if you’re sensitive? Take the HSP and EMF Exposure Quiz to find out how deeply you're affected by other people’s energy and EMF.
Bonus Tip - Create a Calmer, Less EMF-Saturated Environment
Are your students more distracted than they used to be? EMF and WiFi may be disrupting their focus and your calm. A Premium Level 2 Room Shield can help neutralize these effects and restore balance in your classroom.
Questions? We’re happy to help. Call 541-201-8878.