And here we go! My alarm was set at 4:30 this morning. New routine and excitement to meet my students! Working in the schools has been tough the past few years. Lots of teacher burnouts. Something I didn't know as a parent until I started working in a school myself.
Anyway, I thought I'd share 5 tips on relieving stress. Let's go...
1. Practice parasympathetic activities. Walking outside
Moderate sun exposure
Enjoying nature
Low-key music
Massage
Deep breathing
Laughing
Snuggling with a loved one/pet
Yoga, Slow stretching
Easy swimming
Hot tub or sauna
Having sex
Non-competitive play
Mindfulness/meditation
Green tea
2. Meditation Boosts the immune system
Lowers blood pressure, heart rate,
stress hormones, and in animation
Improves sleep, mood, and emotional
regulation, and circadian rhythm Supports the development of
new brain cells, neural
connections, and gray matter Sharpens focus, mental clarity,
attention, memory, and recall
(even when not meditating)
3. Get Outside Being in nature lowers stress hormones and heart rate
and improves mood and immunity, giving you motivation
and energy to cope with your next challenge.
4. Balance your exercise routine Exercise relieves stress by increasing blood flow,
getting you outside, burning calories, and
stimulating your parasympathetic nervous system.
Most effective: a mix of intense strength training,
conditioning, cardio, and low-intensity recovery.
When stressors are up, decrease intense
exercise; when they’re down, increase it.
5. Practice Self-compassion • Ask for help/support when needed
• Get coaching if you feel stuck
• Get counseling if you feel helpless
• Know your limits, honor them
• Unplug at least once a week
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