How best to ven

Tension and workplace disagreements are inevitable. No matter how much we treasure our careers they are going to happen sooner or later. The office can be a stressful, competitive place and that doesn't always bring out the best in everyone. Tension can run high and the stresses and annoyances of work will build up inside you to the point that you just can’t hold it in any longer—so you erupt in a string of complaints to any co-worker who will listen.

Venting in a typical workplace just like in the faculty lounge isn’t uncommon because no one is perfect, neither are your co-teachers. But constantly venting can spread negativity and bring your colleagues down —not to mention that it can be disruptive and annoying to the rest of your team.

So how can stressedout employees manage these strong emotions without venting at work or isolating colleagues? The best way of course is to collect your thoughts and talk with the teacher directly. If you need to, ask another teacher or administrator to be present. Most likely, when everything is out on the table, you’ll be able to get past the issue and move forward.

Another way would be to write down your thoughts. I recently read an article about keeping a stress journal—and it made so much sense. By writing down what, specifically, is frustrating you, you can better understand and start to anticipate the things that trigger your stress and ultimately better avoid or conquer them. Plus, after writing them down, a lot of stressors seem much less significant and much more manageable.

Another is by mastering deep breathing. The beauty of breath is that as long as we are living, we take it everyplace that we go. There are no gadgets to buy or pills to swallow. If you can calm your body with the simplicity of deep breathing, you will be able to limit your work frustration, no matter how deep it runs. And it’s something you have full control over. The best part is that it’s something we each have full control over.

Complaining to another teacher about your principal or fellow teacher will not do you any good in the long run. The school rumor mill is faster and less accurate than a child’s telephone game. Your words will get distorted, and then the next thing you know, you’re the talk of the school – and not in a good way.

Whatever your desired professional reputation may be, I bet it doesn’t include being known as a complainer. But that’s exactly what can happen when you always vent to anyone who comes within five-foot radius of your cubicle. We're all adults and most disagreements can successfully be handled between the two people who aren't seeing eye-to-eye. By Lita P. Casao