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What to do - stress sufferer

(You can find more information at www.mentalhealth.com).

Monitor yourself for symptoms of stress

Fatigue is one of the first symptoms of bad stress (distress). Many teachers have come to accept fatigue as part of the job. This is a mistake.

Do not ignore fatigue. If you do, it will lead to exhaustion and health injury

Stress can mimic just about any other symptom. Look out for stress symptoms and take notice of them. They are another warning of problems to come.

Take action to prevent fatigue

You must change your behaviour, your thinking, your life-style choices, the situations you are in (especially at school).

Change your behaviour

modify your standards to avoid unrealistic expectations
decrease effort and increase relaxation
pace yourself by acting on feedback from your body (eg stress symptoms)
"unload" by talking to someone - a problem shared is a problem halved

Change your thinking

look at things more positively
see problems as opportunities
keep a sense of humour

Change your life-style choices

cut down on caffeine and alcohol
eat a well-balanced diet
do not eat too fast
take regular exercise
get enough sleep
spend more time on leisure activities, hobbies etc

Change the situations you are in

Take regular breaks at work. Use morning/afternoon breaks and lunch breaks to switch off from work and relax for at least 20 minutes
Modify your role/job description

Acknowledgement
This material has been reproduced from the World Wide Web site http://www.teacherstress.co.uk and is reproduced with permission. The information provided is for general use only and is not intended to provide personal medical advice or substitute for the advice of your doctor or healthcare professional. Please consult your doctor or healthcare professional if you have questions about the information presented, concerns about individual health matters or the management of stress.