Slaying the
Stress Dragon
By Heather
Skipworth Craven
This time of year in an educator's life tends to yield itself to a common anomaly known as "MYHILWLOMSSS" or "Mid-Year Hump, I'm Losing What's Left Of My Sanity, Stress Syndrome"...(for those of you who need anachronisms).
It is the time of year when there is no "light at the end of the tunnel", and we are groping our way through the dark wondering if this year will EVER end. We'd even settle for something to just pick up the pace.
Yes, February offers Valentines Day, which can be a brief respite in the thin frost of winter, at least for the elementary cadre. In secondary classrooms with our attention focused on the emotionally charged adolescents, we briefly forget about the sleeping winter.
However, sometimes even the surge of red and pink hearts, sugar rush, and avalanche of emotions is not quite enough to re-focus both our attention and motivation. And as for March, well, we find ourselves trying earnestly to vault over that mid-year hump.
We've begun to have our fill of meetings, grading papers, more meetings, in-services, copying, laminating, machines on the fritz, more meetings, kids with cabin fever...and did I mention...MEETINGS?!?
Most of these stressors are beyond our control, but there are at least some "red flags" that we can all be aware as signals that stressors are fast becoming overpowering. Once we have awareness, we must take adaptive measures to reduce them.
10 Potential Stressful Situations
Many stress-producing factors on the job occur at a level that is not quite severe enough to demand immediate attention. Thus, they are allowed to continue unchanged and unnecessarily add to the daily stress potential of the workplace.
This time of year in an educator's life tends to yield itself to a common anomaly known as "MYHILWLOMSSS" or "Mid-Year Hump, I'm Losing What's Left Of My Sanity, Stress Syndrome"...(for those of you who need anachronisms).
It is the time of year when there is no "light at the end of the tunnel", and we are groping our way through the dark wondering if this year will EVER end. We'd even settle for something to just pick up the pace.
Yes, February offers Valentines Day, which can be a brief respite in the thin frost of winter, at least for the elementary cadre. In secondary classrooms with our attention focused on the emotionally charged adolescents, we briefly forget about the sleeping winter.
However, sometimes even the surge of red and pink hearts, sugar rush, and avalanche of emotions is not quite enough to re-focus both our attention and motivation. And as for March, well, we find ourselves trying earnestly to vault over that mid-year hump.
We've begun to have our fill of meetings, grading papers, more meetings, in-services, copying, laminating, machines on the fritz, more meetings, kids with cabin fever...and did I mention...MEETINGS?!?
Most of these stressors are beyond our control, but there are at least some "red flags" that we can all be aware as signals that stressors are fast becoming overpowering. Once we have awareness, we must take adaptive measures to reduce them.
10 Potential Stressful Situations
Many stress-producing factors on the job occur at a level that is not quite severe enough to demand immediate attention. Thus, they are allowed to continue unchanged and unnecessarily add to the daily stress potential of the workplace.
- Having more to do than you can do
well. The more you accomplish, the more is expected of you. When you
perform what is expected, you see yourself as "getting by."
Formerly enjoyable activities become lower priorities.
Need: Honest talk and re-negotiations - Lack of fun on the job.
Situations that used to be funny are now becoming major irritants.
Need: Teachers/others who make you laugh, lighten up the work environment with cartoons, funny sayings, etc. - Lack of structure and poor
management. You so not have control over your time and space.
Need: Think "inch by inch" - set aside time daily and weekly for planning
- allow for flexibility
- accept the fact that when operating in an unmanageable, unpredictable, people-filled environment that things will go wrong.
- Organize your work space to facilitate paperwork and routine tasks.
- Getting behind. When you are
overwhelmed with work and have poor management, more likely than no you
will get behind. More time is spent in making excuses. This leads to
defensive behavior.
Need: stay an extra 30 minutes each afternoon and get organized. - Having a poor relationship with
your supervisor.
Need: - establish an honest, pleasant relationship
- a positive relationship will decrease your supervisor's stress
- know your supervisor's priorities and goals
- if your supervisor's is who you need to talk to, talk to her
- Lack of recognition which major
source leading to burn-out
Need: celebrate yourself for a job well done - Using comparison tactics to
determine your effectiveness.
Need: compare your job results to your own expectations. If not, you may alienate yourself. - Having a stress-prone supervisor.
Being caught with a stress prone supervisor is also painful.
Need: Discuss your difference in style with your supervisor. - Lack of direction and
predictability. Accept the fact that education is unpredictable. Expect
the unexpected. Ask your supervisor what are your position's goals and
expectations. Ask for them in writing.
Need: be aware of your own goals so that your behavior will fit your priorities. Operate from a written job description agreed upon by you and your supervisor. Ask for clarification of major goals. - Lack control over your situation.
Research indicates people who are given hope and responsibility of
controlling what happens to them at work are more highly motivated and
satisfied workers.
Need: - change jobs/position
- work to change your present job/position
- communicate with others able to make a change
- make an internal adjustment to an external situation
Remember, attitude is half the battle, and the other half is adequately equipping oneself to slay the stress dragon. Students are master detectors of tension and stress. Focus on what you have accomplished and set realistic goals, so both you and your students will reap the rewards.
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