HOW TO DEAL STRESS as SCHOOL HEAD
ESPERANZA G. NABONG
One of the best things about being a principal is that you rarely have two days that are the same. Each and every day will bring new es and new happenings and unexpected results but at the same time this can also be the worst thing on being a principal because, it can surely cause new stress. Dealing with stress is as hard as dealing with school concerns. You need to pull down stress before it drags you down.
The best way to cope up with stress is to take one problem at a time. For sure, if you have one problem this will cause another problem that will cause another and another and another problem, causing you to suffer from a lot of problem, as if they were spider web inter connected with each other. The tendency is, you will be confused about what problem will you take first. But this is all because you lost your focus. Try to think of it, all of this problem are caused by one main problem so absolutely the answer for all of this is to solve the main problem. If not because of the main problem you won’t have this sub problem so if you managed to kill the main problem all the problems it caused will die as well.
There’s a quotation, “don’t problem the problem because if you problem the problem, the problem will problem you”. You don’t have to worry about the problem, let the problem worry for itself, why don’t you use your time to look for the solution rather than worrying and trying to think negative thoughts? Sometimes being stressed out is actually our choice. You can avoid stress, it is true. Just try to keep calm and never ever over think. You cannot think properly when you are bombarded with too much things to worry about because if you won’t, this will only lead you into wrong and even worst decisions. One at a time, always remember that if you’re trying to solve a problem you must set aside all the other things in your mind so that you can think clearly and you can consider all the possible outcomes.
But of course there is no better solution than taking a rest. Everybody deserves some break, actually everybody needs a break. If you won’t take a break and you will abuse you body and you mind, the tendency is, you will end up too drained. It was like you are burnt out and you have nothing more to give. Don’t let the stress to swallow you whole. Yes, time is gold, but then health is wealth. A good sleep is not a crime. Besides you are working all day long so sleeping and taking some rest won’t waste your time. Don’t you ever think that sleeping is just wasting time, wasting time is when you are lying on a hospital bed, real sick but you’re not supposed to be there if you didn’t abuse and over used your energy.
Don’t be afraid to try things that will put you into calm and easing feeling. Like listening to music, going to spa, eating foods (too much food will harm you as well) and many more. But actually the best among all the tips is, don’t mix your personal life with your career as a principal. Don’t bring your problems and issues at school in your home. This doesn’t mean that you cannot do your work at home, you still ca but try to avoid stressing yourself at home. A home is a place where you can be relaxed and comfortable, when you are tired from school isn’t it rewarding to feel going home? But how can you feel the same feeling when you brought home the stress? Home will no longer be able to ease you and this can also cause issues with the family when you are pissed you can hurt them accidentally.
The end point of all of these is that, it is always our choice if we want to be stressed, besides, you can still perform well and be good at anything without being too stressed. Remember to unwind and to take a break each time, reward yourself if needed. Life is too short and you only live once so why don’t you just enjoy it? Face every difficulty with a smile. Look at them as if they are challenges given to you that you can survive. Always look into the positive side.
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The author is Head Teacher at Sta. Maria Elementary School, Angeles City Division