Stress has been called the silent killer and

can lead to heart disease, high blood

pressure, chest pain, and an irregular
heartbeat.
While it is a myth that stress can turn hair
gray, stress can cause hair loss. In fact,
telogen effluvium (hair loss) can begin up to
three months after a stressful event

Stress can make acne worse. Researchers

say stress-related inflammation rather than

a rise is sebum (the oily substance in skin) is
to blame.
Stress is linked to the six leading causes of
death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments,
accidents, liver cirrhosis, and suicide.

Stress makes the blood stickier, in

preparation for an injury. Such a reaction,

however, also increases the probability of
developing a blood clot.
Chronic stress decreases the bodys immune
systems response to infection and can affect
a persons response to immunizations.

Stress is your mind

and bodys
response or
reaction to a real or
imagined threat,
event or change.
Stress happens when
the pressure is
greater than the
resource

Is all stress bad?

Moderate levels of stress may actually

improve performance and efficiency

Too little stress may result in boredom
Too much stress may cause an

unproductive anxiety level

Figure 1 Relationship between Stress and

Performance

Stressor
The person or event that
triggers the stress
response

Dealing With
Others Stress

Work
Environment

Responsibility
for Others

Role
Stressors

Interpersonal
Conflict

Stressors

Hassles
Life
Events

Specific Job
Demands

Emotional
Labor

The Mental Effects of Stress

If you scored 7 to 10 Yes points you are extremely

susceptible to stress, pressure, anxiety and worry

and would benefit from exploring stress
management strategies.
If you scored 4 to 6 Yes points you are less
susceptible, however you would benefit from
learning how to relax your mind.
It you scored 3 or less Yes points you are fairly
strong. However you will find that relaxation will be
good for you.

The Physical Effects of Stress

If you scored 7 to 10 Yes points it indicates that

your body is particularly susceptible to stress and

pressure.
If you scored 3 to 6 Yes points you have average
physical susceptibility to stress.
A score of 2 or less Yes points indicates that you are
less vulnerable than most individuals to physical
problems produced by stress.

Stress in Teaching Profession

If given the opportunity, of all

teachers would NOT become teachers

again
20% to 33% of surveyed teachers
report teaching is either very or
extremely stressful
30% of all novice teachers leave the
profession before their 5th year

Why is working in schools so stressful?

Jobs that bear a large amount of responsibility for the

welfare of others are more stressful

Staff in schools deal with a wide array of personalities
and cater for a wide range of educational and human
needs
Students often rely on staff in schools for stability and
support through emotional problems
Competing demands result in having too much to do and
not enough time to do it
Increasing expectations from parents and society
Some students are less disciplined and in many cases
teaching is not held in the same regard as it was by past
generations

Common Stressors Teachers Experience

Poor classroom working conditions (small room,

many students)
Lack of adequate instructional materials and
teaching resources
Lack of proper facilities within a school
(heating/cooling, lighting, media facilities, noise,
room structure)
Job security budget cuts mean teacher cuts
Decreased job mobility
Low salaries
Little opportunity for promotions

Common Stressors Teachers Experience

Annual incremental raises not in pace with cost of living
Interruptions during teaching time
Conflict between amount of time to teach and curriculum
Teachers roles: teacher, mother/father, coach, counselor
Heavy workload gives teachers no time to relax within a day
Teachers bring work home daily no time to finish at work
High-Stakes Assessment Testing
Responsible to Administration/Board Objectives & Policies
Responsible to the students, parents, school

administration/board
Physical and Mental abuse by students

EFFECTS OF PROLONGED UNHEALTHY

STRESS

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Hair loss
Eating disorders
Tense, muscle ache and pain
Palpitations and chest discomfort
Fainting
Choking
Indigestion and nausea
Diarrhea and frequent urination
Tremors and twitching
Breathlessness and hyperventilating
Tension headaches

EFFECTS OF PROLONGED UNHEALTHY

STRESS
COGNITIVE, EMOTIONAL & BEHAVIORAL
EFFECTS
Lack of
concentration/ability to
think rationally
Easily distracted
Reduced memory
Increased errors
Organization & planning
deteriorate
Tension increases

Change in personality
Irritable/Aggressive
Depression/Isolation
Reduced self-esteem
Speech problems
Less enthusiasm
Lower energy levels
/Sleeplessness
Absenteeism
. Burnout

Managing Teacher Stress

Stressors are always present in the

profession of teaching, which suggests

teachers should learn techniques to
manage stress to remain an effective
teacher.

PROACTIVE METHODS OF MANAGING

STRESS

Maintain Healthy Physical

State
Regular Exercise
Nutritional Diet
Good Sleep

 Maintain Strong Mental State

Stay intellectually stimulated (mental exercise)

Be current with subject and teaching methods
Put things into perspective
Know yourself (strengths & weaknesses)
Use other teachers as a resource
Gain stability from relationships (family/friends)
Practice relaxation/meditation
Escape through hobbies, interests and passions
Provide for self-renewal
Participate in religion

Establish Clear Classroom Expectations

Methods

of Instruction
Methods of Assessment/Grading
Code of Conduct
Parental Involvement
Social Support
Policies & Procedures

Control the Work Environment

Thou shalt not be perfect or even try to be.

Thou shalt not try to be ALL things to All people.
Thou shalt leave things undone that ought to be undone.
Thou shalt not spread thyself too thinly.
Thou shalt learn to say No.
Thou shalt schedule time for thyself and support network.
Thou shalt switch off and do nothing regularly.
Thou shalt be boring, inelegant, untidy and unattractive at times.
Thou shalt not feel guilty.
Thou shalt not be thine own worst enemy but be thine own best
friend.

Seek Outside Assistance

Workshops/Seminars/Conferences
Support

Groups/Networks
Additional Resources
(reading/online)
Professional Counselling

RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
DEEP BREATHING - One of the easiest ways to

relieve tension .
MEDITATION - This is the process of focusing on a
single word or object to clear your mind. As a result, you
feel calm and refreshed.
PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION - This
technique can help you relax the major muscle groups in
your body.
VISUALIZATION - This technique uses your
imagination, a great resource when it comes to reducing
stress.

Healthy ways to relax and recharge

Go for a walk.
Spend time in nature.
Call a good friend.
Sweat out tension with a good workout.
Write in your journal.
Take a long bath.
Light scented candles
Savor a warm cup of coffee or tea.
Play with a pet.
Work in your garden.
Get a massage.
Curl up with a good book.
Listen to music.
Watch a comedy

Remember...
In the short run, anyone, can be a victim,

even you
You are more resourceful than you often
acknowledge and you always have more
options than you know
You dont have to catch the ball every
time someone throws it at you
Learn how to say NO!!

The Key Word Is.

Balance