It’s that time of year: Pollen is in the air and testing is around the corner. Both can adversely affect your health if you let them. Fortunately, there are antidotes for both.
If you are like me, dealing with pollen is a bit easier: Just keep a supply of antihistamines close. But dealing with stress is a bit more complicated.
The January issue of Education Update, published by ASCD, featured some helpful tips for dealing with stress.
ASCD asked several experts for their advice for dealing with stress. One of these experts was Julie Proctor, a clinical instructor and health and wellness coordinator for Oakland University in Minnesota. She advises both students and educators to employ the following techniques:
- “Remember to laugh every day and do something fun. Spend time outdoors. Move every day and find an activity that you love to do.
- Discover new hobbies. Be mindful of the moment, focus on your breath – take three deep breaths if you start to feel anxious. Practice compassion for another person. Journal your thoughts and feelings.
- Play. Make art. Unplug – turn off the TV, computer and the cell phone,”
- Proctor advises. And one more thing: “Develop a healthy social life-support systems are critical in handling stress.”
ASCD also looked to another medical source for dealing with stress, the Mayo Clinic. Experts there suggest that adults try following the 4 “A”s;
Avoid: “A lot of needless stress can simply be avoided. Plan ahead, rearrange your surroundings.” If it’s traffic that stresses you out, leave early for work and try an alternate, less-traveled route. If your co-worker drives you crazy, avoid engaging in conversation with her as much as possible. If you feel like you have too much on your plate, learn how to say no and ask for help.
Alter: If there’s something that causes you stress, try thinking about the alternatives. If your source of stress is another person, “respectfully ask the other person to change [his] behavior. And be willing to do the same.” If your workload is too much to bear, speak with your supervisor to develop a mutually beneficial solution. And if you’re getting behind in your work, think about ways to better manage your time and organize your tasks.
Accept: Stress can’t always be avoided or altered; sometimes you have to accept things as they are. But you don’t have to suffer in silence. Reach out. Talk to a friend. Take a coffee break. And if the situation calls for a little forgiveness, you will feel better for letting go of the negative energy and anger.
Adapt: “The perception that you can’t cope is actually one of the greatest stressors. That’s why adapting, which often involves changing your standards of expectations, can be most helpful in dealing with stress,” the brochure states. Learn to redefine success and perfection and be gentle with yourself. And try looking at the long view. Ask yourself, “Will this matter in a year? In five years?”
So, enjoy this time of year by taking a moment to smell the roses after taking your antihistamine – and remember that both pollen and testing will soon be behind you.
