| If you think the shopping mall is a stressful place | | | | our minds in a positive frame can help alleviate stress |
| during the holiday season, you have not been in a | | | | and even make us feel more confident. Simple |
| second grade classroom in December. Elementary | | | | exercises like asking students to each share one |
| school teachers practically run to the busy malls for | | | | thing they feel grateful for, or one act of kindness |
| rest and relaxation! Yes, that is an exaggeration, but | | | | they might show someone today, are easy and |
| not by much. | | | | effective. They help take our minds off what we |
| If you are a classroom teacher battling your | | | | perceive as negative or stressful and add calm and |
| December stress levels, here are seven relaxing | | | | clarity to the teaching day. |
| ways to take back your sanity. | | | | 5. Stretching |
| 1. Fewer Holiday Projects | | | | Dog and cats are great at this once. Have you |
| Having once been the queen of classroom holiday | | | | noticed how they usually stretch before rising? Gentle |
| projects (at least I imagined I was), I speak from | | | | stretching of muscles lengthens them, and in the |
| experience. It's better for you AND FOR YOUR | | | | process relieves stress. Knowing which muscles to |
| STUDENTS to select one or two holiday projects and | | | | stretch is the key. Suite 101 offers some easy |
| let the rest go. My classroom may have looked super | | | | stretching exercises that you and your students can |
| cute, but my students and I were miserable trying to | | | | practice together. |
| get it all finished. Your students will be calmer, and | | | | 6. Playing Games |
| your stress level will drop instantly, if you pull back on | | | | We have all heard the phrase "laughter is the best |
| the projects. | | | | medicine". There is no better stress reliever than |
| 2. Classical Music | | | | having a good laugh, and one of the best ways to |
| Always a winner, classical music is one of the best | | | | promote laughter is through classroom games. Even |
| stress reliever tools for the classroom. Other types | | | | better, using high quality classroom games supports |
| of music will work too, but studies have shown that | | | | learning while students are busing laughing. That is a |
| listening to classical music will help people eat less, and | | | | winning combination! You can find excellent classroom |
| more slowly digest their food. Now, that is something | | | | learning games at Teacher Treasures. |
| to get excited about! So put on some Vivaldi, Handel | | | | 7. Deep Breathing |
| or Bach and watch the musical magic unfold. | | | | Perhaps the most effective stress relieving technique |
| 3. Sketching | | | | is also the easiest. Deep breathing is an ancient |
| Don't underestimate the power of doodling! There is | | | | practice that can clear your mind, oxygenate your |
| something called "flow" that art therapists say | | | | body and help you to focus. It most definitely |
| happens when we sketch or doodle. It means that | | | | relieves stress! Practice taking a deep (silent) breath |
| we become completely engaged and can even | | | | along with your students. Those few seconds have |
| approach a meditative state. For students, sketching | | | | the power to bring amazing calm into your teaching |
| can clear their minds of concerns or stress and bring | | | | day. |
| about a sense of calm. For teachers, sketching is an | | | | Don't let yourself be pushed toward the brink of |
| ideal activity during transition times throughout the | | | | insanity in your classroom this holiday season. Turn up |
| school day and a sure-fire December stress reliever. | | | | Vivaldi, take a deep breath and enjoy a calm-filled |
| 4. Starting the Day with a Happy Message | | | | December. |
| It might sounds corny, but studies show that putting | | | | |