Coping with stress?

[Sleepless]

In my whole life I've never really been taught by anyone on how to cope with stress that comes with life. To be honest, I haven't lived an incredibly stressful life so I haven't exactly needed coping skills. However, I currently work at a job that is a bit stressful for me, but at the same time I LOVE what I do and wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm a preschool teacher, but I work in a VERY low income area so most of my students have less than easy at home lives and have some behavioral issues because of it. My boss, who is also a good friend of mine, told me that my classroom will be combining with another room and I'll have to teach more kids than normal for the next few weeks due to us losing an employee. I've already been stressed a bit with the current kids I have so adding more will add more stress. I am fully able of loving and caring for all these kids, I just am morning sure how to manage the stress I have afterwards, if that makes sense? After work I get home exhausted and I stress about the next day so much that I'm taking it out on my loved ones. I don't want to be the person who takes things out on others though, I want to be calm and understanding and good at stress management so I don't make everyone hate me. So how do I cope with all the new stressors that will be coming my way? I'm trying so hard to not let stress consume me and my life, burn ive already noticed myself becoming snappy with my family and that stresses me out even more. Any advice would be much appreciated. Edited March 23, 2018 by MachoPrincess

[Sleepless]

Sorry for all the typos I did this on my phone and it autocorrected silly things.

[Hopeisreal]

I can’t say I fully understand what you’re going through but I am a nanny to two foster kids and it is hard but rewarding. Plus I’m a live in nanny. But one thing I do is count. Take deep breaths. When I can get away I try to calm myself down if needed. When you get home do at least one or two things you love. Maybe drawing or doodling. Or knitting. Something to unwind. Maybe watch tv or read. Making sure you feel taken care of. Because I have better days when I’ve taken care of me. I journal each morning and pray. I make sure to have peace and quiet before I start my day. Then at night is when I read or watch tv.

[Guest SweetPurpleCherry]

I hope this will help you.

When i have stressful days at work, i walk back home, listening to music. Walking is VERY important, cause as you exercise you breathe differently, and sort of meditate all along the way. It eventually helps you solving problems too.

 

Each & every time something gets on my nerves, i write it down in lil notebooks i always keep in my desk drawer & purse. (2 or more, if necessary. Putting words on frustration helps a lot).

 

And when i'm finally home, i take like 10mins alone in a dark room. If possible, i have a shower right after, so i can be totally in peace if i need to cry, and i can wash the stress away

Edited March 24, 2018 by SweetPurpleCherry

[Hopeisreal]

I walk too.

[Guest aphroditelaughs]

Journaling has been my saving grace with stress. It helps me get all the thoughts out and I can just LEAVE it there on the page for a while. But doing anything you love is key. Like others have said, take care of yourself and you'll get through it.

 

It might also help to remind yourself that you won't have that many kids forever. And if there's a way to prepare your current kids it may help you feel more prepared too.

[Guest ~*~Sachita~*~]

Exercise, sleep, and healthy eating help. But I agree with Aphroditelaughs, writing stuff down helps more than I can believe. I have a system called Grumpy Notes, which I explained here: https://www.ddlgforum.com/topic/22776-ive-been-shamed-and-im-all-depressed-now/

 

Also, check out these topics for more tips:

 

Stress

https://www.ddlgforum.com/topic/6492-how-to-de-stress/

https://www.ddlgforum.com/topic/8849-how-do-littles-deal-with-stress/

https://www.ddlgforum.com/topic/27681-stress-relieving-tips-%E2%99%A6/

[CaresAlot]

One of the things we tend to do is to focus on what we need to do tomorrow and the things we messed up on today.  Get you a journal and this will be the "Good Book".  Each day at a minimum write down three successes that you accomplished.  Sometimes they are little things and other days there are a bunch of them.  Once you have this filled up with several days you can open up and help yourself focus on all the good that you are doing.

 

Youtube.com has some really good 'white noise" to listen to.  It will help you destress or it usually puts me to sleep.  There are planes, trains and rain just focus on hearing the sounds nothing else.  Stress is a lot of times those thoughts that just get out of control.

[DollDirector]

This is more easily said than done but it is something I believe we should all have at the back of our minds,because it is so simple,that people loose touch with it: If you stay in stressful circumstances for too long you are going to be stressed. We have to try to regularly stop and think about the acceptability of the atmosphere at work.

"Eloge de la fuite" is a book by neuroscientist Henri Laborit,it's a classic in french,I haven't a clue if it's been translated but my clumsy own translation of the title says a bit already: " in praise of avoidance " ...

 

If the situation is temporary,homeopathy works wonders on many people,without addiction.

Edited March 24, 2018 by DollDirector

[Guest BabyPeach]

I would let my family know that I will be under additional stress for the next few weeks.  Tell them that you are learning coping mechanisms, but to please forgive you if you get snappy, etc.  Trust me, they will understand.  You are human.  Your job is very stressful even without the added stress. 

[neworder]

this kind of stress prods at your fight or flight response, which elevates the stress hormones especially cortisol. Over a period of time this will wreck havoc with your body and mind. Short term - burn it out with exercise (as mentioned) walking then working your way up to jogging / running on a nature trail (not a congested city area which can add stress). Long term - psychologist who can give you insight on how to adjust your reaction to your work so your reaction isn't to generate stress anymore. Such as keeping a notebook on how you have made progress with specific kids so you can measure your successes.

[junebug0325]

Hi there!

 

I am also dealing with stress and anxiety. I want to preface with what I am about to say with the information that I take medicine for my anxiety, and I see a therapist every other week. 

 

Firstly, being on a schedule works wonders for people with stress and anxiety. Going to work, class, whatever it may be, helps people with stress tremendously.

 

Finding that little bit of alone time doing something that will ease your mind is one of the best pieces of advice I can give you. If this means taking 10 minutes to follow a guided meditation video (I recommend Headspace) or writing in a journal 10 minutes before every night, then do that. Find something that you will enjoy. Winding down before bed is essential because it gives your brain the signal that you are going to bed and it gives you a better night's sleep. Sleep is so important when you have a stressful career. 

 

I've recently started bullet journaling, and it's one of the best decisions I've made for my mental health. I like that you can customize and make it cute to your personality and things you want to track. Check out Pinterest boards for inspiration, they are great. 

 

Find coping techniques that work for you. If this means seeing a therapist once a month to help you find the coping skills that best fits your needs then do that.

 

Everyone is different and deals with stress in a variety of ways. If you ever need to talk to someone or learn more about techniques, let me know. I am studying Early Childhood Education, and I know excactly what kind of stress you are going through. Feel free to add me as a friend so we can chat.

 

 

Thanks for reading.  

[Sleepless]

Looking back on this is so...I don't know, funny now? It's funny, because combining with the other class actually made things a lot less stressful. My classroom combined with an older classroom and the older kids actually got my class to be more in the routine of things and they follow directions better now and everything. The older kids have stopped combining with us, but I'm still seeing the positive affects they left on my students. <3 I was stressing over something that ended up being good for me and that's kind of funny