Reduce stress and increase happiness at work

Many of us educators are faced daily with heavy workloads and lengthy commutes while managing a busy schedule at home. These stresses can quickly build up and damage our mental health. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to safeguard your mental well-being and return to a state of calm and happiness.

Below we share some simple and easy tips to add into your day to reduce stress at work.

Take breaks

Giving your mind and body a few minutes break every hour or so can help to clear the mind. For those with desk jobs, set an alarm to go off every hour. Go for a quick walk around the office or, better yet, outside in the fresh air. Buy a Fitbit to track your steps and make it your goal to reach 10,000 steps every day. For those with labour intensive jobs, take the time to find somewhere quiet to rest the body and refocus the mind.

Exercise

Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to combat stress. It helps release endorphins, which are chemicals that improve your mood. Find an activity you enjoy such as walking, jogging, swimming or yoga and embed it into your daily routine. In addition, add exercise into your daily commute by walking a stop further before getting on your bus/train. Or use the stairs instead of the lift and schedule walking meetings. Try using your lunch break to take a walk or attend a gym class.

Bring your lunch to work

Prepare a healthy lunch and snacks each night to take to work with you. Doing this will reduce the likelihood of grabbing an unhealthy option at lunchtime and will also save you money!

Replace your pillow regularly

Sleep is the time of day when your body rejuvenates and detoxifies and is so important to health and wellbeing. Preparing for a good night’s sleep involves many factors, one of which is ensuring you have a clean, chemical-free pillow to rest your head on!

Pillows absorb body oil, dead skin cells, and hair which can create the perfect environment for dust mites which are not only gross but can be the cause of many allergies. On top of this, many pillows are made from toxic material which can be extremely harmful as we bury our head in these toxins for hours on end every night. Pillows also lose their support over time, resulting in spinal misalignment which can lead to body aches and pains.

Replacing your pillow every 2 years and opting for supportive, organic, chemical-free options will go a long way to ensure you get the good quality rest you need.

At Only About Children we’ve partnered with Healthy Minds to provide our team members with access to amazing resources, training and education focused on mental health and wellbeing. Because we know how important a healthy mind is to happiness at work. Other benefits available to our team members can be found here. What does your employer do to support your well-being?

For more great reading: The importance of a holistic approach for both educators and children and Early childhood education careers for schools leavers.