stress n. 

1. Psychological and physical strain or tension generated by physical, emotional, social, economic, or occupational circumstances, events, or experiences that are difficult to manage or endure.

I have been exploring the concept of stress. My mental stress can create a physical response in my body, but the truth is stress starts in my mind and manifests in my body. The stress I feel is my mental response to the story and circumstances of my life. I create stress in my own mind. The circumstances are real. The feelings I have are valid, but it is my response and the way I process these happenstances that create a stress response in my mind and body. The feelings I have are my warning system to start being aware of what is happening around me. Consequently, I do not need to respond to my feelings of fear or anxiety; rather, I need to start asking myself what has triggered this response in me? What is this circumstance trying to teach me and how should I respond?

To fully explain this concept a full conversation and a cup of tea is needed. So until that meeting, I can simply say, the only thing I can change in my life is me. I cannot change the circumstances of anyone or anything around me. I can only take ownership for my response to each happenstance. I need to take the time to own my own mind.

What if we are all part of a big cosmic dance? What the chaos we feel is mutual, but the only way to correct the dance is to change our own footwork and patterns?

Invest in yourself.

Show up for yourself.

Julia Arndt of @peakperformancewithjulia posted the following tips about time boundaries, communication boundaries, meeting boundaries and self-advocacy boundaries. I have used her list to create a teacher friendly amended version. Her full list can be found on her Instagram page (posted Sept 7 and this concept is discussed in the Ted Talk embedded at the end of this post).

Time Boundaries:

• stop checking emails after 6 pm (or from home)
• schedule lunch like a meeting (show up on time)
• cap your workday (don’t take work home)
• don’t reply on vacation (set-up an auto reply)
• say no to fake “asaps”
• use a “send later” for after hours work
• set up auto-reply messages

Communication:

• pause before saying yes
• replace “I’ll try” with a clear timeline
• stop apologizing for limits & things beyond your control
• clarify expecations
• push back on urgency
• give yourself permission to say no

Self-Advocacy:

• ask for help early
• share wins, not just tasks
• request flexibility
• protect your lunch
• push back on unfair loads

Photo Credit: Sage Friedman, Unsplash