Stressed?

There is no doubt that teaching can be pretty stressful at times. Especially when you have one of THOSE mornings. You know... the one where it feels like NOTHING is going your way. It usually starts with morning traffic and ends with a broken copy machine…

So what do we do when we have one of those mornings? I think the way we choose to handle these stressful situations can set the tone for the rest of the day.

Here’s a list of ways that I try to calm my nerves when I have one of those “not-so-great” mornings:

First, I take a deep breath. I know this seems like an obvious one, but it’s probably the most important. Stuff happens. Especially when it’s something that is out of our control. I try to take a deep breath, focus on my breathing, and stay calm.

Next, I take a quick lap around the school. Sometimes it has a destination, other times it doesn't, but I find this extremely helpful and relaxing. Most of the time, I find myself at the door of one of my favorite colleagues, my brother. He never fails to make me laugh and always gives the best hugs.

Lastly, I put on music. Do you know how much power a great song has? A LOT…and even though I can’t carry a tune to save my life, I have always had a connection to music and love listening to it. I definitely get that from my mom. She always had music on when I was growing up and some of my favorite memories are dancing in the kitchen after dinner.

Are these tips a total cure to stress? No, but it definitely helps me when I feel overwhelmed. There is no doubt that this year will be a little more stressful than usual. There are still unanswered questions that have teachers, administration, and parents feeling stressed and uneasy. It’s important to find tips and tricks that work specifically for you. Just remember that this year is only temporary. The new challenges that you will face will be difficulties that you have never faced before. You are still that amazing teacher that you have always been. So... take the walk when you need to, listen to songs that make you happy, and always remember to keep smiling—even if it’s under a mask.