[Rachelle]

On my lunch break I like to listen to music or podcasts, read books on my library app or find something to google that I’m curious about (like “why do people yawn when they hear someone else yawn?” and other everyday questions you might think of), just to make sure and give my brain a good break to think about something else for a while. Helps me feel refreshed for the next half of my day, and less like I’m carrying the stress of the first half of my day with me.

If I’ve had a particularly long, stressful, and overwhelming day and I feel really frazzled and upset sometimes I like to go home and spend some time in an environment without too much sensory input. Like turning down the lights and putting on quiet calming music or nature sounds to block out any other sounds in your house/apartment/etc. And just take some time to rest.

[Bethany]

Music definitely helps!

[lalitha]

I like to take walks during my break to feel refreshed and ready to take on the second half of my day. I also listen to podcasts to give my mind a break from children activities. Getting myself a little treat, whether it be a coffee or chocolate bar, helps me de-stress as well.

[Bethany]

Take a break if I’m getting stressed.

Dont’ go all out as I could overextend myself.

Rest when I get off of work.

[Lei]

listen to music, take a deep breath and calm yourself down

[Lacee Peterson]

Deep breathing or giving space. I also think getting outside and getting fresh air helps everyone

[Jose Antonio Montor Torres]

My techniques that I have found to release stress is to walk, read, talk and hug my kids.

[Rachel Sowle]

everyone through life develops their own methods of stress relief. personally i like to read, cook, and workout. a good “fit” can be cathartic.

[Theresa]

eat right, get sleep, take long baths and talk with co-workers and frients.

[grayson]

Turning off from work as soon as I leave the center and actually taking my breaks.

[Meigan Luong]

There’s a lot of ways to release stress. Deep breathing is a strategy that I use often, even in my personal life. I think having a good work and home life balance is useful for this. When you “take your work home with you” either literally or figuratively, it brings stress home with you from the day rather than leaving it behind to start a new day tomorrow. I think it’s important to go into each day refreshed and look at it as an opportunity for new beginnings. When I’m feeling stressed, I also like to read or go on a walk.

[Angelina]

I feel that on the job, deep breathing helps. Another thing I do is making sure to keep up with my self care and mental health outside of work, so that I feel good when I am at work.

[Aleecia Renderos]

take a deep breath, back away, patients

[Gracie Butler]

Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing mindfulness or meditation can help you stay present and manage stress. Even a few minutes a day can make a significant difference.

Physical Activity: Regular exercise, such as walking, yoga, or dancing, can release endorphins and reduce stress levels. Consider incorporating short, active breaks into your day.

Deep Breathing Exercises: Simple breathing exercises can quickly calm your mind and body. Techniques like deep belly breathing or the 4-7-8 method are effective stress relievers.

Talking to Colleagues: Sharing your experiences and feelings with trusted colleagues can provide emotional support and help you feel understood and less isolated.

Journaling: Writing about your thoughts and feelings can be a therapeutic way to process emotions and gain perspective.

Creative Outlets: Engage in hobbies or creative activities such as drawing, painting, playing music, or crafting to help you relax and unwind.

Healthy Eating and Hydration: Maintaining a balanced diet and staying hydrated can improve your overall well-being and resilience to stress.

Set Boundaries: Establish clear work-life boundaries to ensure you have time to rest and recharge outside of work hours.

Professional Support: Consider seeking support from a counselor or therapist if you find that stress is significantly impacting your well-being.

Self-Care Routine: Develop a self-care routine that includes activities you enjoy and find relaxing, such as reading, taking baths, or spending time in nature.

[Kate]

Taking care of little ones all day can be a rollercoaster of emotions, right? It’s important for early learning providers to have outlets for emotional release. Whether it’s chatting with coworkers over a coffee break, jotting down thoughts in a journal, or even just taking a moment to breathe. But to be honest it’s sometimes hard to find the time so what I do instead is engage the kids in some fun craft activity like a perfume making kit. It’s fun and educational for them and gives me a little fun time with them as well.

[Audrey Hamblett]

I found that after work it is really important to separate my life from my life at work. This allows me to avoid thinking and dwelling about what happened at work once I get home. I have also found that working out is a great way to release my energy at the end of the day or even before work. This could involve running, going to the gym, walking or more. I also try to stimulate myself while I not working, such as taking a class, reading a book, or doing research.