Resources

Burnout

Burnout Isn’t Inevitable

https://www.edutopia.org/article/burnout-isnt-inevitable

I liked this article as it explains how schools can help the situation by offering supports right

away. Everyone needs that coach in their life cheering them on and making them feel like they

are worthy and when they need to take a break!

 

 Surviving Burnout

https://theeducatorsroom.com/surviving-burnout/

This is a powerful story of a teacher trying to survive burnout twice and how she tried to do it.

 

 Being a Teacher and a Student

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teacher_leader_voices/2019/05/being_a_teacher_and_a_stud

ent_.html

This blog gave great ideas on how to keep yourself from that burnout path, number one being

making connections within your school.

Destress the Classroom: Bringing Mindfulness to Students and Teachers

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lilyjones/2018/10/26/destress-the-classroom-bringing-mindfulness-to-students-teachers/#7a219a19179d

This article proposes that using mindfulness practices in the classroom can help to restore calm, and help students to be able to think in a more peaceful environment. The author believes that slowing down, and focusing on mindfulness can lessen stress and improve learning.

 

Can Mindfulness Make Us Better Teachers

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/can_mindfulness_make_us_better_teachers

In this article, the author discusses ways in which mindfulness practices can help teachers to manage their own stress and anxiety and lessen the chance of burning out professionally.

 

Can Mindfulness Help Stressed Teachers Stay in the Classroom?

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/can-mindfulness-help-stressed-teachers-stay-in-the-classroom

In this article, the author describes the ways in which mindfulness can be helpful to stressed teachers and potentially cut down on the number of teachers who burn out and leave the profession. I especially liked that this article addressed the fact that providing opportunities for teachers to practice mindfulness was a recognition of the fact that teachers are under a great deal of stress.

 

What are the Reasons Teachers Call it Quits

https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/10/24/495186021/what-are-the-main-reasons-teachers-call-it-quits

This article discusses the main reasons why teachers leave the profession.  While some reason could be address through better self care, others cannot – such as not making as much money as other college graduate professionals.  It made me think that, in some cases, staying in teaching is about how much you let go of.

 

How To Strive and Survive in SPED

http://youaut-aknow.com/25-ways-to-survive-and-thrive-in-sped/

I had this article stashed away on one of my Pinterest boards.  It’s 25 Ways to Survive and Thrive In SPED.  It includes ideas from veteran teachers that have found a way to manage the stresses of being a special education teacher.  One that I started doing last year that helped me be less stressed was to leave at the end of your duty time 2 days a week and try to not take anything home.  We have to stay late for PD on Wednesdays and I have been good about practicing “No School Work Wednesday.”  I also leave on time on Fridays and don’t do any work on Friday evenings.

 

Why I quit My Teaching Job Mid Year https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/why-i-quit-my-teaching-job-mid-year/

“2) Sometimes, the school year does not get easier with time, and that’s not necessarily your fault…3) You are not a bad teacher just because your job feels too hard.”

 

Teacher Burnout or Demoralization? What’s the Difference and Why it Matters

http://neatoday.org/2018/01/18/teacher-burnout-disillusionment/

This article discusses how so many teachers are simply believed to be burned out and overwhelmed with the many tasks of the profession yet there is a difference between burnout and demoralization. Demoralization has to do with teachers feeling frustrated by the systems of public education and not being able to teach the way that they know they should. The difference has to do with internal and external factors which I think can combine to cause burnout. 

 

25 Tips to Reduce Teacher Burnout

https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/25-tips-reduce-teacher-burnout/

This article gives a multitude of strategies on how to best deal with burnout. All of the strategies might not work for everyone but something should work for each person. Alot of the tips have to do with mindfulness, including teaching in the moment and finding something to laugh about during the day. 

 

The Warning Signs of Teacher Burnout

https://www.teachthought.com/critical-thinking/the-warning-signs-of-teacher-burnout/

This article gives the important signs of possible teacher burnout. I think it is important for teachers to know these and recognize them in themselves as well as each other so that they can come up with strategies to stop from becoming completely burned out to the point where they quit. It discusses four stages of burnout and how you can approach any of the stages.

 

Causes of Teacher Burnout: What Everyone Needs to Know

https://www.learnersedge.com/blog/causes-of-teacher-burnout

This article talks about teacher burnout being an epidemic and the percent of teachers leaving the profession within the first five years.  It addresses the need to build resilience in educators.  It includes a list of possible causes for teacher burnout and points out the importance of raising awareness on this issue by being proactive.

 

Teacher Burnout Solutions & Prevention – How to Keep Talented Teachers
https://www.thegraidenetwork.com/blog-all/teacher-burnout-solutions-prevention

This article describes burnout symptoms and impact. Then it goes on to give tips for addressing this reality to include giving teachers control, direct instruction in handling the stress, look-fors for early signs of burnout, offer mental and physical resources, and creating a plan for those experiencing burnout.

 

15 Ways to Reduce Teacher Stress
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/blog-posts/nancy-jang/15-ways-reduce-teacher-stress/

This article is literally a simple list of 15 ways to reduce teacher stress. With the start of school, I liked this list as a challenge to take care of myself. I liked laying out my outfit the night before and closing the door during plan time. After just 2 days, these 2 things I believe will help!

 

Stop, Drop, and Roll With It: Teacher Burnout Prevention
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/roll-with-it-burnout-prevention-nicholas-provenzano

This article is another set of ideas for helping reducing the stress in the teacher profession which ultimately helps to reduce teacher burnout. Starting hobbies, teammate partnership, journalling and blogging are included. My favorite strategy however is laughing! We all need more encouragement to laugh!

 

Teacher Burnout: 4 Warning Signs:
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/teacher-burnout-four-warning-signs-nicholas-provenzano

 4 warning signs of teacher burnout. Not socializing with others, not sharing lesson ideas, loss of spark, and complaining.

 

12 Smart Ways to That Fight Teacher Burnout That Really Work 

https://www.weareteachers.com/prevent-teacher-burnout/

Gives ways to avoid burnout, focusing on me time and ability to not take home extra homework. Finding people that understand what you are going through and changing up the routine in your classroom will make things more interesting and exciting.

 

Care About Teacher Burnout
https://www.usnews.com/opinion/knowledge-bank/articles/2017-12-11/teacher-burnout-hurts-schools-and-studentsThe article stated that we, as teachers must maintain our own well-being so that we can be effective in the classroom. We need robust social skills to connect with students, so, we can effectively manage our classrooms and teach our students.

 

Managing Stress in Schools

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/summer18/vol75/num09/abstract.aspx

This article spoke of how administrators can help diminish teacher burnout while supporting them and lowering the number of professionals who leave our profession. It was factual in noting that teachers juggle 100 tasks simultaneously, give up evenings and weekends and try to take care of themselves in the meantime.

 

Why is it So Hard for Teachers to Take Care of Themselves

https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/teacher-self-care/

This article talked about why it’s so hard for teachers to take care of themselves. The author discusses the fact that teachers have accepted that not caring for themselves and working too much is part of the profession.

 

Happy Teachers Practice Self Care

https://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2017/06/07/social-emotional-competence-starts-at-the-head-of.html

This article talks about the ways in which self care can lead to happiness for teachers- and also the opposite- that not caring for self can lead to all sorts of problems.

 

The Truth About Teacher Burnout

http://psychlearningcurve.org/the-truth-about-teacher-burnout/

This article makes the case that teacher burnout is really work place depression. The authors feel it is a very serious condition that should be addressed more significantly.

 

The Warning Signs of Teacher Burnout
https://www.teachthought.com/critical-thinking/the-warning-signs-of-teacher-burnout/

 This article discusses the increasing number of teachers who are leaving the profession. The author uses the term, “stuck” rather than “burnout” because “stuck” implies that there is a way out. It also provides self-care skills and resources.

 

6 Signs of -and Solutions for- Teacher Burnout
https://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2014/05/20/ctq-pillars-signs-of-solutions-for-burnout.html

 This article defines what burnout looks like and then provides 6 solutions such as focusing on sfumato (embracing uncertainty), balance, self, relationships, gratitude, and healing.

 

Burnout Isn’t Inevitable
https://www.edutopia.org/article/burnout-isnt-inevitable

 This is an article about how teachers can help with school burnout. The article notes that 60% of study participants experienced stress but were able to avoid burnout with proper support from their schools. Support looked like stress management workshops, proactive screening, and positive school culture.

ASCD Fighting Educator Burnout

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/summer18/vol75/num09/How-to-Help-Teachers-Win-the-Burnout-War.aspx

This article is written for school administrators with suggestion for supporting teachers to avoid burnout.  It identifies 4 things administrators should do for teachers.

1. Parent involvement:  recruit parents to volunteer and help teachers with classroom tasks.
2. Invite honest teacher feedback.  What is working?  What further supports are needed?
3. Respect teacher time.  Don’t hold meetings that aren’t needed.  Make meetings meaningful.
4. Support continued professional growth.  Provide meaningful staff training to allow for continued growth and foster the creativity and joy in teaching.

 

Teacher:  The Day I Knew for Sure I was Burned Out.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2014/12/12/teacher-the-day-i-knew-for-sure-i-was-burned-out/

I sort of funny article about a very real issue.  She describes the day to day stressors of being prepared to teach.  As usual it is not the students that burn out teachers, but all the other duties assigned.  In her case she compares the amount of time needed to teach in America versus the amount of time in European countries.  We all experience many of the same issues discussed in the article.

 

The Teacher Burnout Epidemic, Part one

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/much-more-common-core/201611/the-teacher-burnout-epidemic-part-1-2

The article identifies 6 reasons for burnout.

1. Volume:  to much work.  I don’t know how to say I conquered this.  I just worked hard.
2. Environment:  Mostly I found the resources I needed and the support from administrators, so that is not about me.  I worry for those in environments that are not supportive of teachers needs.
3. Tedium:  I have now read that one of the burnout issues identified include boredom.  Many teachers teach the same thing year after year.  I was lucky to change jobs and stay current with different practices and challenges.  I encourage teachers to change assignments periodically, despite the extra work.
4. Student Behavior:  I was a special education teacher with an emphasis on behavior and emotional needs, so this was not my issue.  But lack of administrator support for students with challenging behaviors and lack of mental health resources is an issue for many educators.  I left buildings when these supports were not available.
5. Administration:  The reality of schools is that the administrator set the tone of the building.  If you do not like the “tone” move on.  I did and thank god I did.  A friend and a master teacher walked off the job because administration was tone deaf. 
6. Community relations:  Dealing with all stakeholders, parents, students etc. is a hard job.  Communication skills are a necessity, but often parents and teachers are not on the same page.  I lucked out mostly.  

 

The Truth About Teacher Burnout:  It’s Work induced Depression
http://psychlearningcurve.org/the-truth-about-teacher-burnout/

This article talks about how teacher burnout has many symptoms that are the same as depression.  It states that 90% of the people they interviewed who scored high on teacher burnout also met the criteria for depression.  It then goes on to explain the signs of burn out and how you can address it.

 

Destress the Classroom: Bringing Mindfulness to Students and Teachers
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lilyjones/2018/10/26/destress-the-classroom-bringing-mindfulness-to-students-teachers/#1b2fda0e179d

This article proposes that using mindfulness practices in the classroom can help to restore calm, and help students to be able to think in a more peaceful environment. The author believes that slowing down, and focusing on mindfulness can lessen stress and improve learning.

How Gratitude Changes You and Your Brain
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain

This article talked about how they did test groups and how the people who wrote about being grateful felt better about themselves. It states that gratitude takes our toxic emotions, it takes time to work and it does require sharing to work.

9 Powerful Ways Gratitude Can Change Your Life

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201512/9-powerful-ways-gratitude-can-change-your-life

This article talks about how we should look at what we are grateful more than just on holidays. It lists 9 different ways that being grateful can help your life.

How Gratitude Actually Changes your Brain and Is Good For Business

https://thriveglobal.com/stories/how-gratitude-actually-changes-your-brain-and-is-good-for-business/

This article talks about how gratitude can help you but also gives examples of how you can practice gratitude. This list gave me ideas to think about and practice.

The Benefits of a Gratitude Journal and How To Maintain One

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gratitude-journal_b_7745854?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGi1prLmurj5V1TTBH7lcPa3VPsVdkOd8mMxYbfDeLfE9wjdqGxQfmzPi9lUGwhbYKlJL9yyCMFM5uFyV82y9vycT1LC7X9hqyiVTcetZxOF9scpJsgjHZGrbLrfTLDLPRFNwlvR1Mll_swfwCRxDR967a3R89GQFJpUYpjnoT5T

This article discusses the use of gratitude journals. The author, Laura Jessen states that writing down a list of things you are grateful for and how they make you happy can lessen your stress. The article lists 8 benefits of having a gratitude journal and how to use one.

Think About It: Be Grateful

https://app.gonoodle.com/activities/be-grateful?s=Search&t=gratitude

Kid President

25 Things to Be Thankful for

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA5Qpt1JRE4

Soul Pancake

What Makes You Happy? An Experiment in Gratitude

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA5Qpt1JRE4

I had students do the same activity outlined in this video before watching. They were as shocked as the video participants were by the outcome. This was with high school students, but I bet younger students could write a letter to someone they feel grateful to know. Enjoy.

The Neuroscience of Gratitude and How it Affect Anxiety & Grief

https://positivepsychology.com/neuroscience-of-gratitude/

PositivePsychology.com

Deeper article describing research support the use of gratitude and health. I have experienced many loses in my life. Most recently I lost my husband. I have always equated strength with independence and asking for a receiving help has been difficult for me. But I have found that accepting help and being thankful that help is strength. Understanding what you need and accepting help from those that care and love you is healthy. This article is somewhat dense, but helped me to think about how gratitude has helped me every day to deal with this more recent loss.

In Praise of Gratitude

Harvard Health Publishing

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/in-praise-of-gratitude

Another review of some research supporting the using of daily actions of gratitude leading to a more happy and health life. Although it does review a few students that did not demonstrate this correlation. The article is also clear that there is no cause and effect relations, but that studies show an association between the practice of gratitude and reported increase in happiness. It provides some suggestions for the daily practice.

The Science of Gratitude

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMd1CcGZYwU

This 2 minute animated video describes the science of gratitude and how it can rewire your brain to allow for lower blood pressure, better sleep, and feelings of greater happiness.

“How Gratitude Changes You and Your Brain”

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain

This article describes a study of three hundred people and their involvement with a gratitude letter study. Their four big findings were that, 1 “Gratitude unshackles us from toxic emotions” 2 “Gratitude helps even if you don’t share it” 3 “Gratitude’s benefits take time” 4 “Gratitude has lasting effects on brain”

“Science Proves that Gratitude is a Key to Wellbeing”

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mindful-anger/201807/science-proves-gratitude-is-key-well-being

This article discusses another scientific leap between gratitude and increased happiness. They mention this is done because gratitude effects the hypothalamus(regulatory part of brain) and the ventral tegmental(reward center) of brain and that stimulation helps lead to more endorphins and other happiness neurotransmitters.

Harvard Health Publishing

https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier

This is an article about how giving thanks can make you happier. Researchers asked people to write down a few sentences each week with one group writing about what they were grateful for and the other group wrote about things that irritated them. A third group wrote about things that affected them (positive or negative). After 10 weeks the people who wrote down things they were grateful for were more optimistic and felt better about their lives.

How to Increase Your Gratitude While Decreasing your Stress

https://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2019/07/31/how-to-increase-your-gratitude-while-reducing-your-stress/#7c71dacf6626

This is an article about how to increase your gratitude while reducing your stress. The author will write down everything she is grateful for when she is feeling stressed.

The Relationship between Happiness and Gratitude

https://psychcentral.com/blog/the-relationship-between-happiness-and-gratitude/

This is an article about the benefits of being grateful. The author quotes other researchers and their findings.

Gratitude Physically Changes Your Brain, New Study Says.

https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/the-amazing-way-gratitude-rewires-your-brain-for-happiness.html

In this article, participants who were suffering from anxiety or depression were split into two groups. The first was the control group. The second wrote letters of gratitude daily. The follow up brain scan showed the gratitude on the brain scan. The theory is that having gratitude makes it easier to be grateful and that it is a cycle.

59 Ways to Draw on the Power of Gratitude

https://positiveroutines.com/the-power-of-gratitude/

This is just a fun list of gratitude practices. I like this quick read because the tips are broken up by category. Things like quotes, the definition or actionable steps. When you click into each category, it sends you to even more resources on gratitude.

The Surprising Benefits Children Gain From Giving Thanks

https://tinkergarten.com/blog/the-surprising-benefits-children-gain-from-giving-thanks

How children can express gratitude and what it does for them.

E adventures with Kids

While this site started with adventures in Kansas City it has expanded to include crafts and activities for holidays and other occasions.

Pink Oatmeal

Areas on their website for teachers, therapists and parents to find activities for improving motor skills.

OT ToolBox

A great resource for activites that pertain to motor skills, executive function,  and sensory processing skills.

Tinker Lab

Activities and resources here include science, nature and art for toddlers and elementary age children.  

Kids Yoga Stories

Here are hundreds of ideas to bring yoga to kids in fun creative ways.

ichild

Activities and crafts for all ages and on a variety of topics. 

 My Slumber Yard Blog

Information for parents about sleep related issues

All Things for Kids Blog Articles

Articles for Parents about a variety of topics. 

 

 

8 Ways to support Students Who Experience Trauma

https://www.edutopia.org/discussion/8-ways-support-students-who-experience-trauma

Articles on Stress

5 Weird Ways Stress Can Actually Be Good For You

https://www.health.com/stress/5-weird-ways-stress-can-actually-be-good-for-you

This article explains the difference between good and bad stress and how you can turn bad stress into good stress.

 

What Kind of Stress is Good For You

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-kind-of-stress-is-good-for-you-3145055

This article explains the difference between good and bad stress and how you can turn bad stress into good stress.

 

Good Stress Vs. Bad Stress In Kids

https://www.understood.org/en/friends-feelings/managing-feelings/stress-anxiety/good-stress-vs-bad-stress-in-kids

 

What Is Your Stress Mindset

https://www.stressresilientmind.co.uk/articles/what-is-your-stress-mindset

This article discusses the mindset of stress and why it matters.

 

Change Your Mindset Change Your Game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tqq66zwa7g

This video by Stanford psychologist Alia Crum discusses how your mindset can be a game-changer in many ways, including your health.

 

Making Stress Your Friend

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/pressure-proof/201502/making-stress-your-friend-its-all-in-your-mindset

This article follows the beliefs of Dr. Kelly McGonigal. It discusses stress mindsets and making stress a positive part of your life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Destressing the classroom with mindfulness 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lilyjones/2018/10/26/destress-the-classroom-bringing-mindfulness-to-students-teachers/#7ce97e4b179d

This article helps to show the importance of bringing mindfulness into the classroom on a daily schedule. It discusses the benefits for both students and teachers in bringing a strong calm demeanor. 

 

Destress all grade levels with scholastic 

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/15-stress-busting-tips-teachers/

A quick overview of bullet point notes on ways to destress and keep clam in a chaotic classroom. 

 

Four simple steps to help improve teachers stress levels 

https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2016/feb/07/four-scientific-ways-teachers-can-cope-with-stress

This article focuses on the importance of sleep, meditation, breath, and the importance of saying no to help alleviate stress. 

 

Rethinking the Way We Look at Stress

 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201404/rethinking-the-way-we-look-stress

In this article the author states that if prepared properly for the stressful event and by seeking appropriate support and resources stress can a positive event.  The results of handling a stressful situation proactively result in positive emotions of pride and excellence can be motivating and invigorating.

 

From Stress To Success 4 Ways to Challenge Your Stress Response by Dr. Kristen Race 

https://mindfullifetoday.com/challenge-your-stress-response/

Helpful reinforcement of this concept that a healthy dose of stress can inspire excellence. I like the language she uses to describe a “switch form stress to challenge response”.  This reframing is a helpful way to guide us in developing strategies that allow us to function during stress and even exceed our own expectations.  Another interesting study reported in this article described the differing response of athletes when stressed during sports vs. the classroom.  This description illustrates the mindset of the athletes and its impact on performance.

 

Threat or Challenge- The New Science of How we Think About Stress

https://www.6seconds.org/2019/04/16/threat-or-challenge-the-surprising-new-science-of-how-we-think-about-stress/

 

 Describes Kelly Mcgonigal’s research.  It provides the statistics she talked about and allows the reader to understand her research.

 

Stress Good Health 

https://time.com/5434826/stress-good-health/

Explains that some stress can be good for us. The good kind of stress is called eustress and is linked to protecting us against aging and disease. 

 

Why Some Stress is Good For You

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201612/why-some-stress-is-good-you

This is an article about why some stress is good for us. Some reasons why include that we may learn a new skill, better able to adapt to life’s difficulties, and may be less likely to fear change. 

 

How Stress Can Be a Very Good Thing

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/stress-good_b_5582961

This article describes why some stress is good for us. Examples include that it can sharpen our memory, boost our immune system, help you get a leg up at work, and can make your life more interesting. 

 

Why Acceptance Is One of the Best Stress Reducers

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wise-mind-living/201501/why-acceptance-is-one-the-best-stress-reducers

 Article about why acceptance of stress is the best response. Take control of emotions, and accept the Buddhist concept of suffering. This is not passivity, but rather, understanding the way stress affects your body.

 Embracing stress is more important than reducing stress, Stanford psychologist says

https://news.stanford.edu/2015/05/07/stress-embrace-mcgonigal-050715/

Article about how stress is an indicator of engagement in our lives. When lives are more meaningful, we have more stress. The problem is viewing stress as unhelpful and out of our control. If we see stress response as helpful, we can use it to our benefit. Behaviors to release stress are often negative (e.g. drinking or procrastination).

 How to Adapt to a Stressful Situation

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-adapt-to-a-stressful-situation-3144674

 Ways to change our reaction to stress. Main idea is power of positivity and attitude towards stress. Eliminate “tolerations” that stress us without our awareness. Use of meditation and exercise to make us less reactive to stress response.

 

GOOD STRESS/BAD STRESS: HOW DO YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE

http://www.ulifeline.org/articles/450-good-stress-bad-stress

This article talked about how stress is a burst of energy that advises us on what we should do. It is a warning system that activates all kinds of hormones in our bodies and leads us to fight or flight. 

 

WHY SOME STRESS IS GOOD FOR YOU

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201612/why-some-stress-is-good-you

This article spoke of how some traumatic events can actually cause us stress that makes us stronger. It makes us mentally tough and gives us the necessary skills to deal with stress. It stated that dealing with moderate stress and stressful events can even allow us to thrive better as we get through the stress.

 

5 WEIRD WAYS STRESS CAN ACTUALLY BE GOOD FOR YOU

https://www.health.com/stress/5-weird-ways-stress-can-actually-be-good-for-you

This article spoke of our body dealing with stress and how it prepares itself for the possibility of injury or infection. It stated that stress allows us to develop a physical and psychological sense of self control. It can give us a heightened sense of awareness and a desire to succeed. 

I believe the stresses that I encountered being in show choir, athletic events, band concerts, mothering and work have increased my ability to deal with these situations and gave me the resiliency tools that I have needed in my adult life.

 

Benefits of Stress You Didn’t Know About 

https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-stress-you-didnt-know-about#1

 This article presents four types of stress that can be beneficial to people.  It also distinguishes between good and chronic stress because of the misconception that all stress is bad.  However, according to the article good stress has the following benefits:  it improves you brain, it helps you avoid a cold, it makes you stronger than you think you are, and children born to mothers who experience stress “had more advanced early developmental skills.”

 

How You Can Benefit From All Your Stress 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-science-success/201303/how-you-can-benefit-all-your-stress

This article explains and defines what stress is.  Again, the idea that most people think that stress is harmful is presented.  For me the most important idea presented in this text is that people who believe that stress is bad can actually change this type of mindset.  Research actually chows that stress has many benefits like “making you stronger, healthier, happier, and more effective.”

 

 3 Benefits of Stress

https://inspiyr.com/benefits-of-stress/

 Although, stress can have negative and have profound effects there is another very unexpected effect.  It can actually be very beneficial.  The article presents three benefits that stress produces.  These are:  stress allows for more focus, as you gain experience from stressful situation you learn to respond to it better, and as you learn to deal with stress better you gain confidence.

 

Good Stress, Bad Stress

http://www.ulifeline.org/articles/450-good-stress-bad-stress

This Article talks about good stress vs bad stress. Good stress can push us and it is also our fight or flight in our brains that can save our lives.

 

When Stress is Actually Good for You

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-kind-of-stress-is-good-for-you-3145055

Good stress or “eustress” is that stress we feel when we are doing something that excites us: roller coasters, haunted houses, first dates, etc. This stress is stress that doesn’t harm us as so does acute stress. Acute stress doesn’t harm us as long as we have something to relax us afterwards.

 

Can Stress Actually be good for you

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/15818153/ns/health-mental_health/t/can-stress-actually-be-good-you/

This article talks about the upside of stress. Stress can improve your immune system. It also pushes you to reach goals and achieve. This short term boost of hormones are being tested to show the benefits on our brains.

Lower Stress: How Does Stress Effect Your Body

https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/lower-stress-how-does-stress-affect-the-body

This article discusses the effects of stress and also gives strategies to manage stress in order to create a healthier lifestyle

 

Stress Management

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm

This article identifies the importance of managing stress and goes on to give helpful hints for decreasing stress.  Some of these strategies include making time for fun and relaxation, connecting to others, moving, practicing the 4 A’s (Avoid, Alter, Adapt, Accept), and identifying the sources of stress.

Good Stress Bad Stress

http://www.ulifeline.org/articles/450-good-stress-bad-stress

This article discusses the difference between good stress and bad stress.  Good stress can help you meet daily challenges and find motivation to complete tasks throughout a day.  Bad stress is when you’re experiencing too much stress and can have negative effects on the body such as headaches, irritability, body aches, and getting sick. 

 

Can Stress Help Students?

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/can-stress-help-students-renee-jain

This article focuses on the importance of not highlighting the negative consequences of stress, the evolutionary process of stress, distress vs. eustress, benefits of stress, how to cultivate a positive mindset for stress, goal setting and increased growth.

 

Stress in Childhood

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002059.htm

This is a very short article from Medline Plus, discussing good and bad stress in children, examples of stressors, physical symptoms of stress and how parents can help.

 

“How Teachers Can Build Emotional Resilience”

https://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2011/01/05/tln_resilience.html

This article talks about emotional resilience in the classroom which directly relates to good stress / bad stress.  Different teachers develop emotional resilience in different ways but this article talks about how when teachers are upset and frustrated, they affect the classroom culture and climate in a negative way. Therefore, they need to find a way to manage their emotions and use their energy in pursuit of the positive. In other words, they need to take their stress and put it in to doing what’s right for students and keep that as their focus. 

 

How to Use Stress to Your Advantage

https://chopra.com/articles/how-to-use-stress-to-your-advantageThis article talks about how harmful it is for our health to perceive stress as a negative thing. The benefits of stress that this article discusses are that it is a good motivator, it makes you more relentless and it builds up your cognitive capacity. This article also discusses how you can use stress to your advantage by training your brain to reframe situations and asking yourself why you are stressed.

 

Stress Can Have Positive Effects On Students

https://westliberty.edu/thetrumpet/2017/06/16/stress-can-positive-effects-students/

This article discusses how occasional amounts of stress are beneficial to us in a number of ways. The article is written for college students and says that stress can really help individuals studying for tests remember more. The article also goes on to say that a good amount of sleep as well as an exercise routine helps to manage stress and direct it in a positive way. It concludes that we all individually have to find our own ways to manage stress.

 

Combat Stress with Compassion

https://www.destressmonday.org/combat-stress-with-compassion/

This is a guided meditation focused on compassion. In the video for week 3 compassion and community helped to put stress into perspective. This guided mediation is a tool to support this idea of managing stress. 

10 Reasons Why Oxytocin is the Most Amazing Molecule in the World

https://io9.gizmodo.com/10-reasons-why-oxytocin-is-the-most-amazing-molecule-in-5925206

 

Believe it or Not Stress Can Be Good For You

https://classroom.ceacopilot.org/mod/wiki/view.php?id=14009

The video this week talked about Oxytocin being the stress hormone we all need. Here is an article supporting this idea!

 

The Surprising Power of Growth Mindset in Reducing Stress

https://neuroleadership.com/your-brain-at-work/reducing-stress-growth-mindset

The power of a growth mindset in reducing stress.

 

Study: Students Deal With Stress Better When They Think They Can Get Smarter

https://theswaddle.com/growth-mindset-study-students-deal-with-stress-better-when-they-think-they-can-get-smarter/

A growth mindset helps students deal with stress better.

 

Don’t Let Stress Have The Upper Hand: Take Back Control With An Empowered Mindset

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nazbeheshti/2019/04/30/dont-let-stress-have-the-upper-hand-take-back-control-with-an-empowered-mindset/#58f726113238

Taking control of stressful situations with a growth mindset.

 

 

 

A Story About Gratitude

12 Days of Christmas Story Yoga

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I am Yoga- Story Yoga

I Am Enough- Story Yoga

Bark, George, Bark- Story Yoga

Peaceful Piggy Yoga- Story Yoga

Run Away Bunny-Story Yoga

Merry Christmas, Mouse- Story Yoga

Flea’s Sneeze- Story Yoga

Animal Yoga- Story Yoga

Good Night Moon- Story Yoga

Bunny Roo I Love You- Story Yoga